Moving in is scary but it doesn't need to be.

Unless you went to boarding school, you probably haven't experienced much similar to halls. But let me tell you, it can be AMAZING! It just takes a while to work that out.  

My first few weeks in halls weren't easy; I budgeted poorly, took a minute to get used to catering and was so anxious. But honestly, that anxiety I felt, and you likely will, its so not needed and I'm gonna explain why.  

1.

Everyone says it but... we're all in the same boat. No one (you'd want to be friends with at least) is going to judge you, no one knows anyone when they arrive unless they're really lucky, and everyone just wants to have fun.

When you move in, you'll meet people you'll love by the end of the year. It just takes a moment to get used to. So, get out there, say hello, ask questions even if it's just to whoever is queueing with you for dinner. Everyone wants to meet new people when they arrive, you're not alone!

2.

A new home. I was pretty lucky, my mum and a friend were around to help me unpack and I was sorted from day one. But not everyone is so lucky, some people arrive by themselves without spare hands to decorate a room, or they arrive at the crack of dawn with jet lag after they flew in from Singapore. Either way, the initial arrival is just about getting your bearings.  

Here's a little check list of what to do to understand your new home: 

• Explore your halls, even if its not your corridor. The sooner you explore the sooner you find that fave spot.
• Check out the canteen, you're gonna spend a lot of time there over the next year and finding the good seats is always a bonus.

Over the coming weeks you'll learn your new routines and patterns and develop your new tastes and style independent from your home life. 

3.

Not everything rests on your halls experience. Even if your first week is a little rocky or you just take longer to adjust than you hoped, you're in London! There is so much to go and see in this city that's so unique compared to the rest of the country. Go try some new food, we've documented loads of options for you LSE Halls Life. Visit another town or explore the cities parks!

I explored my halls during the first week and I tried to have fun but engaging with the city around me, reminding myself that there's a world outside of that university social life, is what really kept me sane.

I'm not telling you to ditch halls, just reminding you there's a world outside Bankside.

Lastly.

Life and freshers are NEVER perfect. Everyone wants their dream week for freshers and dream room when they move in. But it really doesn’t have to be. Some days might be a little slow, you might miss a club night or society you wanted to see, but university is not a short experience.  

If you miss that event, don’t get a chance to chat to that cool looking person, or just feel a little bit lonely, it isn’t the end of the world. You have an entire YEAR here; trust me you’ll make good memories even if the first week is tricky.