Moving to a new city can be pretty daunting. You might feel like you're starting a new life from scratch! New friends, new ways of getting to Uni or your new job! It's all up in the air.

So, we put together some tips on how you can get to know your university city, as you don’t want to complete three years at Uni and the only local sites you’ve seen is the kebab shop on your corner.

Learning how to use public transport in a new city is a must have skill for anyone studying or living in a new place. First things first, you need to do some research and check out what public transport options are available in your area, like buses, trains, trams, or subway systems. Once you've got the lowdown on everything, it's time to start putting your skills into practice. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go, whether that be Uni, a friends house, or late night travel back from a night out. If you're heading to uni, be prepared for any delays or sudden changes to your route. With a bit of practice, you'll soon be a pro at navigating your way around your new city using public transport.

Take a walking tour to get to know your uni city a bit more. It is a great way to explore and get to know more about what your city has to offer. There’ll be walking tours in most cities and towns, and the good news is, most of the time they are free! It’s a great opportunity to get to know the city’s history, architecture and local life on these tours. It’s also a great way to meet other people as well who are interested in exploring the city. You never know, you might meet someone who has just moved to the city and is looking to make some friends as well! Walking tours are super accessible for all students, regardless of budget, so it’s worth checking one out if you want to know a bit more about the city you’re now living in. 

Attending local events in your university city is a brilliant way to immerse yourself in the local culture and connect with the local community. Whether you go to a food festival, a concert, a sports game, or more, these events give you an opportunity to get involved with things away from your university and again gives you a taste of what the city has to offer. You can find new places and things to do, which might even spark some inspiration for your studies and hobbies. Going to these events also makes you feel part of the community which can definitely help you settle in a bit better and make you feel a bit more at home. 

Head out on a little walk or bike ride with your friends so you can get to see a bit more of your city. It’s also a great way to get your steps in. Don’t want to venture too far off campus, take a stroll around the city center to see the sites. Grab a drink for the journey and have a wander. Get onto Tripadvisor and see what’s with your vibe! 

Visiting a museum is the perfect way to get to know your university city and the culture behind it a bit better. Museums showcase the history, art and culture of the city, so you will gain a deeper insight into the people and places that make up the city. Most museums offer free entry, or a discounted entry for students, which makes it the perfect chilled out student thing to do. Museums often host events and exhibitions that cater to different interests, so you will definitely find something that will suit you. You can learn about the city’s past, present and also the vision for the future for the city.

Taking an open bus tour is a weirdly incredibly fun way to see the sites around your city, and you barely have to move a muscle! Sit back and enjoy the ride! The tour guide will give you some decent information about the history of your new city, ideal for learning a bit more about the place. Open bus tours are great for finding hidden spots, getting oriented with the layout of the city, and getting a feel of everything. It will also spark some inspiration for spots you might want to explore further. It makes for a fun couple of hours and it’s informative as well!

Getting to know your new uni city can be incredibly exciting. Explore your city and have fun doing it. Whether you take a tour, go on a walk to see the sites, or get yourself a job, these are all great ways to make your new city feel a bit more like home and help you to settle in. Want to figure out everything else there is to know about surviving freshers, head on over to our

hub to learn more.