If you love nature, animals and science, you cannot miss the Natural History Museum. You’ll be impressed viewing their dinosaurs or experiencing an earthquake simulation in a Japanese store.
Last Friday after class, I visited the NHM as it was hosting a special evening event about the Blue Planet II TV show. I’m a huge fan of this BBC series that manages to capture the wildlife in the planet’s oceans with the latest technologies and innovative filming methods.
The Natural History Museum invited the producers to show exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and share more about the making of the TV series. You could also meet scientists that explained more about the wildlife seen in the show using the museum’s collections of corals, whales, fishes and more.
V&A Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum is the most elegant and fashionable museum I’ve ever visited. You can see from the finest jewellery collection to special exhibitions that in the past have even included Kate Moss’ wedding dress.
If you ever need a moment for inspiration too see great art or take a break, just go down the road, and enjoy some of the displays at the V&A.
Science Museum
The Science Museum is literally next door to Imperial. You can learn a lot from mathematics to biology, but you can also interact with latest technologies such as Virtual Reality. If you need even more than this, you can also watch Star Wars at their independent cinema. It has one of the largest screens in the UK and every ticket helps support the Science Museum’s work to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and Jedi Knights.
London, known to many as “The Big Smoke” has historically, and still today, been synonymous with air pollution, traffic jams and intense urban hustle and bustle. BUT, there is another side to the city – its “greener” side. London, despite the nicknames and assumptions, actually boasts 8 Royal Parks and countless smaller green spaces. So, if you need an escape from city life – the parks are a perfect saviour!
Hyde Park
Hyde Park Italian Gardens. Photo credit: Panos Asproulis from London, United Kingdom / Wikimedia.
In my opinion, probably one of the best known parks in London for multiple reasons. Found in the Paddington area, this park is HUGE – 142 hectares to be exact. Hyde Park is home to many events including an annual music concert and the popular winter attraction; Winter Wonderland. Speaker’s Corner is an especially famous spot in the park – filled with soapbox speakers talking (often at the top of their lungs) about a huge variety of things from religion all the way to free hugs – if you want controversial/unique views then this is the place for you. Hyde Park is wonderful in the summer; pull up a deckchair with a good book and an ice-cream, enjoying the sun and heat in central London – what could be better! Plus, if you fancy it, you can hire a pedalo on the water amongst the swans and other birds.
Kensington Gardens
Sunset over Kensington Palace – taken by yours truly
Adjacent to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens is the definition of a Royal Park – home to Kensington Palace which has been/is home to some of the Royals. Imperial students are also well acquainted with the park, often walking through it to get to campus from Paddington. In the early morning, it is often filled with dogs and their owners frolicking around (the dogs that is, owners not so much) which certainly makes the bleary eyed walk to university a little better – bringing smiles to many. The colours of the trees in summer and autumn are truly stunning, as are the parakeets that fly around, often perching on individuals that hold their hands out. Interestingly though, no-one I’ve met knows where they came from, there are many different theories…
Holland Park
And breathe…Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden, where I go to escape when the city gets a bit too much!
HANDS DOWN MY FAVOURITE PARK IN LONDON. Found around High Street Kensington, this park is another favourite with dog owners (no surprise really – it’s a park in a city…) Home Opera in Holland Park in the summer, this park is full of little surprises. My personal favourite is the Kyoto Garden, complete with a small waterfall, pristine colourful trees and koi carp, this little slice of Japan is my favourite place to take time out when it all gets too much. Also, the park has peacocks! Beautiful, especially in summertime when the males are in full plumage often displaying at passers-by. Honestly, they act like celebrities in front of the paparazzi – unbelievable!
Regent’s Park
Regent’s Park bandstand. Photo credits: Wikimedia user Ed g2s
Found in the Camden area, this park is home to an open air theatre and ZSL London Zoo. I haven’t properly visited, but it is on my to do list! It is also home to Primrose Hill – a huge hill at one side of the park with legendary views of London – perfect for a romantic summer evening picnic 😉
Richmond Park
Richmond Park deer…before Fenton arrived. Photo credits: Wikimedia user Amertner
The largest of the Royal Parks (edging out Hyde Park for the top spot) at 955 hectares – HUGER. It is also home to a large amount of wildlife, therefore rightly designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, National Nature Reserve and Special Area of Conservation. Richmond Park is famous for its fallow deer (and a pug called Fenton, but that’s another story…) and many rare beetles. On another interesting note, for those who aren’t nature nerds – it is also home to the Royal School of Ballet.
So that’s a round up of the many green spaces in London, of course there are many more parks – all steeped in history and cultural significance, but since I’m not a historian I won’t discuss that here…
It’s holiday season, Christmas lights everywhere, happy wishes in every corner, warmth and love in every single person around and for most students time to go home.
So, since I am just like most students, I partied to celebrate the end of term, and then partied again because it’s Christmas. Which led to a few very productive days of hangover doing absolutely nothing but Netflix – like you should. With all the partying and it’s consequences checked off my to do list, it’s time to catch a flight (right after doing laundry, miracles may happen but that’s just in Easter, right now your cloths won’t wash themselves). 45 minutes in the tube, an hour and a quarter in the train, 3 miles queuing and an hour and a half due to a delay later and I’m on the plane on my way home. It’s late and as I look through the window and see all those lights, shaping the city I’m in love with,
“I wonder if I’m going home, this feels a lot like leaving to me”
I present to you- Woodward (WW) a.k.a #DiamondofImperial a.k.a Alaska (because it’s low-key a trek from campus).
In case you aren’t sure how it works, all first year undergrad students are guaranteed a place for accommodation as long as they accept Imperial as their firm. I received an invitation to apply for accommodation in July- you get to choose 5 preferences but these are all ranked equally.
My halls consist of three blocks: B, C, and D (I’m not quite sure what happened to A). Block D is arguably the place to be- where the kitchens have panoramic views. *Insert heart eye emojis* At WW, all the rooms are ensuite and we’ve also got an on-site two storey gym, music rehearsal rooms, study spaces, a common room complete with pool and foosball tables, etc. #BraggingRights
The nearest tube station is pretty much across the road (North Acton Station) and there are a couple bus stops dotted around nearby. There’s Tesco Express and Sainsbury’s Local a stone’s throw away, and a massive ASDA which is about a 10-15 minute walk from WW. (Oh, plus Domino’s, Subway, and Costa are also a minute away.)
Nearby is the other Imperial hall- the Costume Store. They share their building with UAL students and pretty much come to all our events. Sad.
Speaking of events- WW actually had something planned daily for a whole month during Freshers!
The regular events at the moment include free breakfasts and movie nights with snacks on Sundays in the common room. (Not going to lie- I’ve never been to any of the events but I do appreciate them!)
Admittedly, WW has a large medic presence *maniacal laughter* and most of the closest friends I’ve made live here- I suppose the commutes are almost a form of bonding? I’m actually sharing a flat with two of my best friends and it feels like a party everyday (except it’s not- the lectures are endless, and I’m personally constantly sleepy). :’)
Admittedly, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies- as mentioned in the opening line, WW is a bit of a trek into campus (compared to other halls anyway).
I wasn’t totally thrilled to find out it was a 45 minute journey to South Kensington and a 35 minute journey to Hammersmith (Charing Cross Hospital). So basically, I wake up around 7-7.30AM for 9AM lectures.
Oh and did I mention I’ve got a roommate? There are definitely perks such as having company after watching horror films in case a killer is on the loose. Just kidding. We’re Imperial students- we don’t have time to watch movies. This is not at all true, I’m actually immune to so many horror films. :c
In all seriousness, having the company and someone to speak to is pretty nice plus speaking from experience, it’s always good to have a back up incase you get locked out of your room! (You could actually just go to security and admit defeat- but I’m not about that life and neither is my roommate.) I’m genuinely so grateful we get along and she’s honestly the absolute sweetest! I mean there’s a bit of clashing toilet use in terms of which side the toilet roll should be facing- but this can be overlooked. We actually also have conflicting bedtimes, but we make it work- thank goodness she’s a relatively heavy sleeper!
P.s. She’s a maths student- scary, right?
You can find more info about Imperial accommodation including different halls, their locations, and accommodation fees here.
Sending love and best wishes (from my super pretty kitchen)!
Alex (:
– 8 things that have gotten me through my first term
After ten weeks of lectures, problem sheets, weekly tests and repeat, with the odd excitement of computing coursework, I am wondering how I made it through this term without getting too exhausted of the cycle! As much as I love the struggle of finding “the largest number of chicken nuggets it is impossible to buy, when they come in boxes of 6,9 and 20” (real question!!), sometimes you do find yourself drowning in work and you need a break, to relax and clear your mind in order to improve your focus for when you do sit down to work again. Of course napping, cooking and even doing laundry have become some of my usual break time activities (perhaps even occasionally procrastination), however there have been some particularly exciting things that have given me a boost, carrying me through the term, and giving me something to look forward to. Here are a few of the highlights:
1.Freshers week went by so so fast, it was so much more than just many late nights out. With mingles and club nights, two formal balls, and a boat party, there wasn’t a moment to do anything but have fun. A part of the freshers experience is of course signing up to an ambitious number of societies, only to come to terms to with the concept of time and have to unsubscribe from mailing lists to prevent 100s of emails building up in your inbox. All in all, freshers week got the year off to a fabulous start, leaving me with new friends, a nocturnal sleeping pattern and a new appreciation for coffee.
ICUNC
2.Free food. I mean there is only one thing better than food and that’s free food! Of course attending those optional lectures or late night events is thoroughly beneficial, however a free slice of pizza or two definitely makes it 10 times better.
3.Netball has always been a sport that I have enjoyed playing and even more so here at Imperial. The few hours in the fresh air during training, along with some healthy competition at matches, is a great break from my work, that leaves me feeling strangely energised and upbeat!
4. On bonfire night, for the student-friendly price of £0.00, my friends and I headed towards Chelsea Bridge to watch the Battersea Park fireworks, some of the best in London. Despite the crowds, we got some wonderful views and all without having to pay! (If you plan on doing this next year, I suggest wrapping up warm and getting there early to get a good spot)
Snow leopards at Sports Night
5. Mid-week treats come in the form of sports nights. Grab your teammates, a drink and maybe even a costume like at last weeks Noah’s ark themed ACC sports night! Wednesday nights certainly live up to their expectations. So glad I don’t have a 9am on a Thursday!
6.Walks around London. Although I have lived in London my whole life, I have definitely enjoyed seeing London in a new light through showing some of my flat mates around. I guess living here makes you take London for granted slightly but the city has so much to offer and the best way to see everything is by walking around.
Homemade costumes
7.Halloween this year really involved me getting creative (not one of my fortes), not only did I volunteer to carve my corridor’s pumpkin, but we also took it upon ourselves to make our own halloween costumes. All that said, our pumpkin became an oddly shaped cat with a hair scrunchy for a tail. But I can safely say our halloween costumes were a much greater success, as we were recognisably Pacman and the 4 ghosts, although the sewing of paper to fabric did not last too far into the night!
8. The Union’s curly fries. This is no joke, after a long day, when your fridge is emptier than your stomach, there is a certain amount of comfort in knowing that the Union’s £1.80 curly fries can always save the day.
Though honestly the best thing about this term has been making new friends, in halls, on my course and through societies. It’s great knowing there’s always someone there, whether it’s for a trip to the library, “borrowing” some food or just for a laugh.
I’m sure that your English is fluent enough for you to study in the UK (if you aren’t confident, take a look at my post about studying in English). I’m also sure that you’re able to communicate with international students withouth any problems. But do you understand what locals, i.e. English people really mean? It took me a while (and a few awkward situations), so here are a few surprising things Brits say.
How are you? You’ll hear this question dozens of times every day. In the beginning I thought: “wow, these Brits are so nice, they really care about me”. Well, soon I was disillusioned. Don’t even bother replying to this phrase with anything else than “I’m fine, thanks. You?” or “Good, how are you?”. Treat it as a synonym of “hi”, not an invitation to tell them about how you’re settling in at Imperial, how’s your research going, how’s your girlfriend treating you etc. Nobody cares.
Not too bad. That’s one of the most common responses to how are you – and it actually means that they’re superhappy. The happiest they’ve ever been. This is called enthusiasm…
Are you alright? When I heard it for the first time, I became seriously worried – do I look sick? Do I look lost? Don’t worry, it means exactly the same as how are you, i.e. “hi!”. Again, if you’re really not feeling great, go home and take a nap, don’t complain to your interlocutor about how tired you are. They don’t care.
Darling… Don’t even get me started on this one. In the store: How can I help you, darling? In a health centre: Are you ok, darling? At the train station: Could you please move, darling? You’ll hear it mostly from British women from our parents’ generation and older, but not only. So don’t get too excited when this good-looking shopping assistant calls you darling – they just want your money.
It’s not quite right. When I started working with my British supervisor, he kept responding to my unsuccessful attempts of solving problems with this magic phrase. It took me a while to realise that by not quite right he actually meant “you’re completely wrong, not even close to the right solution”. He just didn’t want to discourage me. British politeness can be tricky, so always make sure your supervisor really means what you think they do.
By the way… Nope, it usually isn’t some detail they forgot to ask you about or tell you. I learned that many times after a lengthy small talk you’ll hear the key expression by the way and finally they’ll get to the point.
And my very favourite. What would you say if someone bumped into you in a crowded street? Well, if you want to behave like a proper Londoner, make sure you say Sorry, excuse me, I apologise. Possibly repeat it a few times to sound more dramatic. Than walk away, cursing under your breath. Could someone explain to me why I’m expected to apologise for being bumped into?!?!?! I don’t think I’ll ever understand that.
London is a very international place, we all bring here our own cultures, customs and languages. This makes life very interesting – but also calls for miscommunication. That’s why it’s so important to understand locals. So, how are you, darling?
Let’s face it: living in London is expensive. It might sound scary, especially that for some of you the first year of the university will be also the first year when you have to be fully responsible for your finances. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Here are my survival tips.
Find a good accommodation. This is the key, since paying rent will be your biggest expense. Remember that you’ll also need to cover bills – and you might underestimate how high they’ll probably be. Having said that, I must stress: don’t go for the cheapest option. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. And cheap rent usually means a big distance from Imperial, which leads me to my second point.
Consider transportation costs. Sometimes it’s better to pay more for a room closer to Imperial, because commute expenses can easily add up. Make sure you get a 16-25 Railcard and link it to your Oyster card, which might reduce the cost of rail and tube journeys even by one third. And seriously consider cycling – it’ll save you A LOT of money.
Start cooking. If you eat out every day, soon you’ll call your parents begging for extra money. If you’ve never cooked before, fear not, it isn’t as hard as it seems. When I first moved out, I couldn’t even cook pasta. I’m still not an excellent chef, but I’m getting better with each meal. My tip: on Sunday night prepare food for the whole week. Cook a lot of pasta/rice, add some veggies, pulses, sauce (even store-bought), sprinkle some nuts and herbs – and you have a few meals ready in 15 minutes. If you have a freezer, you can even freeze a few portions, so that when you come home tired, instead of ordering pizza you’ll just defrost one of your meals. Cheaper and healthier.
Use Imperial’s sport facilities. Did you know that you can use the gym for free (excluding £40 induction fee)? If you prefer fitness classes, it’s £14.50 a month for unlimited access – way cheaper than anywhere in London. You can also go running or cycling completely for free. Or attend one of the complimentary Sweaty Betty in-store classes. So no, you don’t have to be rich to exercise in London!
Drink less alcohol. A pint will cost you more than a burger with fries – choice is yours.
Of course whatever you do, London won’t get cheap. However, I believe that studying at Imperial College and living in the centre of Europe is worth it!
Did you get accepted to Imperial College? Congratulations! Now it’s time for the real challenge – finding a place to live in London. Something nice, clean, quiet and close to the campus.
Well, unless you’re a millionaire, I don’t think such a place exists. If you’re based at South Kensington campus, you probably won’t be able to afford living close to the college, since its neighbourhood is one of the most expensive parts of London. The only exception: student halls, which are offered only to undergraduates, so not for me L But worry not, you aren’t doomed! Everyone finds a place, sooner or later. I went through this process last year, so you can learn by my mistakes.
Don’t start looking too early.
I expected that finding a room in London would be challenging, so I started looking for it about a half a year before I was supposed to move there. Big mistake. I was going from one agency to another, only to get frustrated by agents smirking at me and telling me to come back a month before I need a room, preferably even later. The market in London changes really quickly: you see an advert and an hour later it’s gone. I rarely do that, but this time I can recommend acting last minute – it’ll save you a lot of time and stress. You won’t find anything earlier!
Never ever pay any money without signing a contract.
It sounds obvious, but really isn’t. When you understand HOW quickly rooms appear and go, you’ll be tempted to pay as soon as you see something reasonable. Resist the temptation! I know it’s hard, especially when you’re moving from abroad. However, it’s better to spend some money for a hotel, where you can live until you find a permanent place, than donate all your savings to a “scam charity”. It happens more often than you think!
Consider a student accommodation.
If you’re an undergraduate student, you can apply for a room in one of the Imperial halls. But even if you’re beginning your postgraduate studies, there are options for you. In London you can find a lot of private student halls, such as Gradpad. Yes, they’re more expensive than a shared flat. However, at least you know what you’re paying for, it’s safe and stress-free. Also, it’s a great way to make friends!
Ask, ask, ask.
Keep asking around: in person, on Facebook, by e-mails. People prefer to rent a room to a friend of a friend than to a complete stranger. So let people know that you’re looking for a place to stay and ask them to keep an eye out for any adverts. Many Imperial students have found a nice flat that way. Also, renting a place from a person you (or your friends) know is a bit safer (though not completely safe!).
Read your contract.
Twice. Three times. Ten times. Learn it by heart. Make sure you understand every single part of it. You can even take it to the Student Hub, they could help you check if everything in your contract sounds right. You don’t want to be surprised by extra fees, restrictions or any other ideas of imaginative landlords. Ask if anything isn’t clear and don’t hesitate to negotiate parts of the contract.
You decided to cycle in London. Good choice! The benefits of commuting to the uni by bike are countless. Let me list just a few.
You save money. Plenty of money! Assume, optimistically, that you live in zone 1 or 2 (i.e., in the centre or quite close). Then the monthly travelcard will cost you £126.80. For this amount of money you could buy a decent new bike, a second-hand one would be even cheaper. So the bike will pay off in just a month, maximum two, if you decide on a fancy one! Do I still need to persuade you that it’s worth it?
You save time. It seems a bit counterintuitive at first, but let’s ask Google Maps. According to this omniscient website, a commute between my accommodation in Battersea and my office in South Kensington campus takes 31 min by train, 40 min by bus and only 21 min by bike. Even if you’re a slow cyclist (as I am), you’ll make it to your lecture faster than your friends suffering in a crowded bus!
You avoid feeling like sardines in a can every day, twice a day, travelling by public transport in rush hours. It’s not only an unpleasant experience, but also a very efficient way of spreading germs. Yuck!
You get your daily exercise. It’s quite hard for me to fit sports into my busy schedule (ok, I’m just lazy and don’t like the gym, don’t judge!), so cycling to work is a great way to get my 30-mins-a-day. I’d say that it’s also the exercise in the fresh air, but the air in London has nothing to do with freshness, so just forget this part.
You don’t contribute to climate change. Since my PhD is in maths and climate science, I could go on and on about this, so instead I’ll just say: cycling can save the planet. Yay!
Ok, you have your bike, two working legs, so you’re ready to go, right? Not really. Cycling is one thing, cycling in London is a completely different story. There’s more to it than just pedalling. When I cycled in this city for the first time, I ended up shaking and almost crying – this is how scary it was! But don’t let it discourage you, it’s a skill one can acquire. Over the last couple of months I’ve learned a few things, maybe some of them will be useful to you.
Get a helmet. I hope you’ll never need it, but wear it just in case. You don’t want to meet with a curb, another cyclist or anything else without any head protection. If you haven’t bought a helmet yet, get a fluorescent one, preferably with lights on it. They’re quite expensive, but you can’t compromise on your safety – I’ll ask for such a helmet for my birthday 🙂
Make sure your lights are working. Don’t even try to cycle in darkness without them – it’s not only stupid, but also illegal. So in a best case scenario you’ll pay a fine.
Become a Christmas tree. Seriously, the more visible you are, the safer you can feel. You want drivers to know that you’re there! Fluorescent vests, reflectors – the more sparkly and shiny, the better.
Plan your route. Sometimes it’s better to take a longer, but quieter way. When I was looking for accommodation, I ordered cycling maps of London (available for free here), so that I could find a place with a nice commute to the campus. Citymapper is a great app, also for cycling: you can choose a quiet, balanced or a fast route. By the way, it’s pretty good also when you decide on public transport. Another useful website shows the quiet routes. And don’t hesitate to ask other cyclists for advice!
Make sure you know the law, which might differ from the law in your country. The differences can be more subtle than switching to the left-hand traffic. This is essential if you want to avoid fines and stay safe.
Consider a cycle training. Seriously! I was offered two 2-hour-long one-to-one sessions with a professional instructor, completely for free. I’m going to write a separate post about what I’ve learned. Now I can say that these sessions improved my safety a lot!
Summing up: cycling in London is great, as long as you stay safe. More specific tips soon!
