Residence Life

Tips for moving to the UK

Richmond's World Cup Football Tournament

Most of the students who attend Richmond come from a long way away. Going to University can be a scary enough to start with, but when you add in moving to another country, it can be downright overwhelming! If you plan ahead and think things through, though, you can make your first step into your new life stress-free and fun! The following tips were collected from current Richmond students to help you.

Come with an open mind!

Things are not going to be the same at Richmond as they were at home and that’s going to take adjustment. You will meet new people, encounter new place and learn a whole new way of looking at things. Be prepared to adjust your views and open your mind.

Don’t pack too much!

Chances are, you will be moving to a much smaller space than you are used to. Excess baggage will get in your way and make you feel cramped in your new surroundings. Also, most electrical appliances and audio-visual equipment won’t work off the same voltage is it’s from another country.

Do your homework before you come!

London is an exciting city with thousands of things to see and do. Spend some time before you get here researching what London has to offer. You will have lots of opportunities to go on University-sponsored outings, but the more interest you develop now, the better prepared you will be when you arrive.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get involved from the get go!

Even before you arrive, the Admissions team will contact you to get you involved in the new-student chat groups on –line. This is your opportunity to start the ball rolling and meet some of your classmates. When you arrive at new student orientation, you can put faces with names. You might feel lonely at the start, but remember, everyone’s in the same boat.

Community Living

Chances are you have never lived in a community living situation quite like what you will encounter at University. Your success or failure in dormitory living has a lot to do with what you make of it. Residence Life has set up a number of rules and regulations to help all residential students live in safety and comfort, but your ability to adjust to your surroundings will be key especially in the first several weeks of the semester. If you have chosen to live in a room on your own, you may find it more of a challenge to meet new people. You will have to make an effort to come out of your room and get involved in the community even if you are feeling homesick. If you are living with a roommate for the first time, this may be a big adjustment as well.

Getting to know your roommate

The key to getting to know someone is to know yourself. In finding out about your new roommate you may need to clarify what you actually feel and think about certain issues. Good communication will be the key. This will depend on your willingness to be open, adaptable and to show respect for others.