1. Join a society

This is my number one top tip for any students joining university! I have found societies are a great way to meet new people, make friends, have fun and all whilst getting something extra to put on your CV. There are so many different societies you can join at Lancaster University and they can all be found on the students union website.

Whether its acapella or astronomy, there’s something for everyone! If you’ve got a new idea and can’t find a society which matches your interests, then you can even start your own. When you start university, there’ll usually be a fresher’s fair which you can go round and find out about all the different societies Lancaster has to offer - and trust me there’s loads!

Wednesday nights are my social night, I’m a member of County College Netball, and this was a great society to join in first year. I met lots of new friends through playing games and attending socials. Typical Wednesday nights as a county netball member include dressing up in a bin bag or wrapping yourself in a bed sheet and heading to Crafties (The Crafty Scholar) - don’t be embarrassed, it’s nothing no-one in Lancaster has seen before. Go take advantage of those 2 for £5 jaegers and have a dance in sugar (student nightclub the Sugarhouse)!

It’s not all just jaegers and dressing up in bin bags though, the variety of societies mean there’s something for everyone. As well as County Netball I am also a fundraising co-ordinator for SKIP Lancaster. SKIP Lancaster is a student-led charity with the aim of supporting children to be cared for and supported in accessing their rights of health, welfare and education in Sri-Lanka. You’ll often find me hosting SKIPs latest fundraiser, whether that’s a quiz, bingo or a themed competition. Go give @skiplancaster on Instagram a follow to get involved!

2. Visit all the pretty places Lancaster has to offer!

I’ll admit before COVID hit us with lockdown I didn’t go on as many walks as I do now. Grab a flatmate and head into Lancaster to see all the pretty places Lancaster has to offer. Whether that’s the castle, Williamson Park, the aqueduct or the canal. There’s always a pretty sight to see - grab a warm jacket though, I can’t say Lancaster is the warmest all year round!

Williamson Park is home to the Ashton Memorial and has lots of different walks to explore with great views of the fells and coasts. It even is home to a café, shop, a butterfly house and a mini zoo which you can explore. Grab a hot chocolate from the café and explore the grounds of Williamson Park.

If you drive, then you could even take a visit to the Lake District or get a short train journey to Windermere. I’m proud to say this is where I am from and it is beautiful! Take a walk in the fells or visit all the little beauties the Lake District has to offer, and you won’t be disappointed.

3. Take advantage and eat all the brunch you can!

If you’re anything like me and can never turn down a lunch date, then Lancaster is the place for you! Meeting up with friends, course mates or dragging your flatmates out to try something different from the usual beans on toast can be a really fun thing to do in your spare time. I do have my personal favourites in Lancaster and one of these is the Cornish Bakery located in the centre of Lancaster - yes, I’m a true Northern girl and pie is the way to my heart!

Some other good ones are the Study Room, the Cornerhouse, the Toll House Inn and if you fancy a trip to Preston then Turtle Bay bottomless brunch is a must! Grab some friends and make the most of their 2 hours of unlimited cocktails or mocktails and a main course, with some music to go along with it. Any TikTok addicts will have definitely seen the trend here.

4. Get cooking yourself!

First year of university admittedly, I was the typical stereotype of a uni student with my freezer full of frozen chips and pizza, this year I’m a changed woman. Cooking from scratch with your flat is actually something really fun to do and it makes it healthier and even sometimes cheaper which is a bonus - us students need to save those pennies!

Me and my flatmates meal plan each week, just so we don’t go off track and buy unnecessary food. We cook and eat together and always treat ourselves to a mammoth roast dinner each Sunday! As you can tell I love my gravy, like any true northerner does.

5. Get snacks and have a Netflix marathon!

Sometimes you just want to chill and not worry about cooking, uni work or drinking and a TV show marathon can be the best way to do this. Grab your blankets, the snacks and switch on the TV and choose something to binge-watch with your friends. Mine and my flats personal favourite treat is ordering a Kaspa’s and watching some TV. Our current favourite show is the Walking Dead and if we want something a bit more light-hearted then Bridgeton is always good! What about when I’m not on placement?

It’s a shame I can’t be doing some of these things due to the UK Covid restrictions. I can’t wait until all my favourite places open up again!

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Kerrie is a second year undergraduate at Lancaster University, and is studying Social Work.

Lancaster University employs students to create authentic content from a student perspective. All views expressed in this article are those of the students, and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of Lancaster University.