Freshers’ Compass

The first few weeks of university may seem daunting - new people, a new area and far  more independence than most are used to. To help you navigate Fresher’s Fortnight, the Food & Travel section at Felix have put together some practical tips for all incoming students. 

1. Claim Your Fridge Space

If you are the first to move into your student accommodation, make the most of it and claim a shelf in the fridge early on. No one wants to worry about having a bottom shelf, which is the most prone to contamination from spills from above. Choosing the top or middle shelf helps to avoid this. It also may save you from awkward situations, for example having to throw out your food after finding it in a pool of someone else’s spilt milk.

2. Invest In Reusable Containers And Cups 

Following Imperial’s Sustainability campaign, the university has taken initiative to cut-down on the amount of single-use plastic circulating campus. Last year Taste Imperial ran a loyalty scheme where if customers brought their own reusable container 5 times to buy food, the 6th meal would be free at any outlet. While for beverage orders, a 30p levy is added to account for all drinks served in single use coffee cups. By carrying your own reusable coffee cups and containers you will save money and reduce waste. There are also plenty of water refill stations across the university campuses where you stay hydrated without having to rely on single-use bottles.

3. Find The Freebies

Welcome Week is the perfect time to stock up on freebies. Snacks, tote bags, food vouchers and even toiletries can all be found at the Freshers’ Fair, making it a goldmine for free items. Many societies also host taster events in the first month of university, offering free food and drink while you try out new sports or hobbies – ideal for saving money while meeting new people. If you are living in halls, look out for your accommodations’ Fresher Fortnight socials as they often host events with free food and drinks.  

4. Batch Cooking

It can be difficult managing to look after yourself during freshers while you are busy meeting people, exploring a new city, as well as cooking for yourself. You can help take away the stress of finding time to eat good, home -cooked meals by trying out batch cooking, using the reusable containers to store your cooking. Chilli, pasta bakes, curries are a few of many options of meals that you can cook once and eat for days. BBC Good Food and Tesco Recipes have many recipes and guides on cooking, varying in difficulty and are student friendly. Student writer Tengyu Zhao will also be sharing easy and comforting recipes in the Food & Travel section!

5. Student Discounts

One of the easiest ways to save money is by taking advantage of student discounts. Beyond the restaurants, cafes and bars on Imperial campus, many businesses in the UK offer reduced prices for students and are often quite generous. When purchasing items in-store, it is always worth asking if they offer a student discount to save that extra bit of money. Sign up for apps like “Student Beans” and “UNiDAYS” to spot weekly deals and redeem discount codes for food, clothing, travel and other items. 

6. Explore Your Area

Wherever you move to, it is important that you explore your surroundings. Taking a few walks around your area will help you spot nearby supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, bus stops and tube stations, so you feel familiar with the area. London is a big city and navigating your way to and from places can be tricky, but apps like “Citymapper” or “Google Maps” can really help making commuting easier. Explore different routes to campus, alone or with friends, to build your confidence and reveal new food spots or cosy and quiet places to study when the library gets busy during exam season. The sooner you get to know your area, the more confident and independent you will feel.