Packing is almost as dull a blog post about packing, so we won’t keep you for too long

But if you’re anything like us you’l be wondering what exactly you’ll need to bring with you as you start what is essentially a whole new chapter of your lives. Big deal, right? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

1. Don’t pack too much!

This is especially for anyone who is in halls for first year and they have to move out at the end of each term. Trying to get your stuff out of halls on the holiday breaks is one tree no one needs.

Take whatever you need - including little luxuries from home - but bring too much and you will very possibly come to regret it when you have to move out. It’s not too early even now to make a list of what you want to take and then stick to it.

2. Don’t pack too little!

It is important to take things that you might not have thought of so you don’t have to spend Welcome Week in Ikea.

• Hangers, for example, aren’t supplied but there will be a wardrobe in your room.
• You’ll have access to a kitchen but you will need your own pans, cutlery and crockery.
• Think about how you can streamline your packing.
• A useful thing to consider may be pyjamas and old t-shirts and hoodies for sleeping or walking through halls in at night. Chances are someone else will be awake and you don’t want to get caught naked…
• Other things you may want to consider are an extra blanket in case friends come to stay from other unis, a mattress protector as the beds aren’t that comfy and very used, cards for pre-drinks, some DVDs or books for when you and your friends want a night in, a little kettle for when essays start getting set, and a mouse trap (just kidding!).

IMPORTANT! People will “borrow” things in halls which is unfortunate so make sure you keep the stuff you really like in your own room.

3. Plan your packing around the first few days of term

It’s likely that on that first Sunday night you will hardly be in your room and instead socialising around halls.

Make sure that you take with you the essentials for survival including soap and snacks so that you spend the first few hours making friends and not looking for a Sainsbury’s Local.

Even if your room isn’t properly unpacked, at least you’ll be clean!

BUT: A quick warning about mini fridges… If you want to pack one then you will be charged £15 a term for the privilege of using it in halls… Grr!

4. Think about what you want to do during the term and pack accordingly

• LSE are hot on careers and lots of societies are too so whether you want to attend a networking event, go to one of the internship fairs, or even apply for a student job at LSE then you may want to take one smart outfit with you.
• Also, think about what kinds of sports teams you might want to join and whether you want to get active next term so that you can bring the right clothes and kit with you from home.
• There’s also a Freshers’ Ball in October and every Friday LSESU hosts its own club night in SAW (the Saw Swee Hock Student Centre), so think about if you need to pack anything in particular for those events.
• In addition, London can get really cold in the winter but September is usually quite warm, so try and pack layers. You might also find that the library and lecture theatres can get quite stuffy so take clothes you can comfortably work in.

PSST! And it rains, a lot…

5. Pack something that reminds you of home

Whether it’s your favourite mug, a framed photo of people you are close to, your favourite food, the cosiest bedding, or all of the above, taking things that are already familiar to you can help you to feel more at home.

Living in halls can be stressful when the works kicks in and people start getting more stressed but if you can create a little sanctuary in your room then it would make for a great place to relax.

ESSENTIAL: LSE has its own little safe haven! The Shaw Library in the Old Building is full of plush armchairs and on Thursday lunchtimes it plays host to free classical concerts:

We’re not sure how brief that was but hopefully it gave you some pointers for next month. There will always be things that you forget or moments when you get tired of living in halls but at least you’ll be able to say you gave packing a good go

If, later on, you have any queries about your course, or your wellbeing, then you can visit student services in the Old Building Atrium at the LSE, or the LSESU Advice Service can provide free and confidential support.

We’ve put together the essential guide to setting yourself up at LSE. Whether you want to choose your modules, access your timetable, or just print something out, here’s how…

Before You Arrive…

There isn’t a huge pressure to arrive prepped and ready to learn. Decisions on which modules you take, for example, may take a while as you sit in different lectures and try them out. But there are things that can help get you started early.

1. Investigate ISSAs and IEAs.

LSE’s Disability and Wellbeing Service can meet with you in the first few weeks of Michaelmas Term to discuss how the School can best help you with your disability. They can put together an Individual Student School Agreement (ISSA) which could help you negotiate coursework extensions, stay in LSE accommodation for the full length of your course, or find other measures to help you in your studies.

It may also be possible for you to have an Individual Exam Arrangement (IEA) created which could provide you with extra time in exams, for example.

Next Step: Email the Disability and Wellbeing Service to discuss your personal needs (disability-dyslexia@lse.ac.uk) or click here for more information.

2. Choose Your Modules

Some modules may be capped so it’s a good idea to select them on LSEForYou if you know that you want to do at least a few.

I would also suggest looking at second and third year modules that you may interested in. These may be a long way off but it is not uncommon for these modules to request that you do first year modules beforehand to provide you with foundational knowledge and skills.

Next Step: You can find the full list of modules for every course here. Have a look through and make a note of any that appeal. Once you have created an LSEForYou account, you can begin to select these officially. If you want more guidance then contact your academic adviser (you will find out who this is during your induction in Welcome Week) or speak to the course convener.

3. Buying Textbooks

A lot of modules won’t need you to buy textbooks especially as so much of learning is online now. For those that do, you can buy them cheaply from other students.

Next Step: Ask around on the Facebook groups for new LSE students or websites like Abe Books stock loads of second hand textbooks. On campus you can also try Alpha Books which stocks lots of LSE texts at very reasonable prices - you can sell them your book when you’ve finished with it as well!

During Welcome Week…

Most of Welcome Week is usually spent making new friends or finding out more about your new course. However, taking time to learn about key things early will save time in the long run.

1. Setting up an IT account

This is important because it allows you to view your emails and start accessing the LSE system. All of your reading lists, essay submissions, and subject specific forums will be online so it’s important to get everything set up quickly.

Next Step: Full instructions are available here. You can go into any computer room on halls (some halls of residence also have IT facilities) to set up your account.

2. Online Learning Platforms

Most learning resources are now available online.

These are:

• LSEForYou - provides personalised details on everything from your exam timetable to your registers 
• Moodle - lecture slides, lecture recordings, class documents, and other learning materials
• Reading Lists - you can find the correct reading lists for each module, save them and easily refer back to them each time you study

Next Step: Create your computer account and use the same log-in details to access these online learning platforms. Familiarise yourself with the different functions before lectures and classes begin.

3. Timetables

By mid-August you’ll be able to access your lecture timetable, by mid-September class timetables will also have been published.

By the start of term, they should also be available on LSEForYou.

You can look ahead now, and search by course code

Next Step: Have a look now to see if you have any pesky 9am starts!

4. Academic Advisers

These are the people who will be your first point of contact in case you have any concerns or questions with your studying, grades, or work.They are usually lecturers who belong to the same department as you and can help you settle in to LSE life.

Academic advisers are also the people who will write references for your first job so do keep in contact with them.

Next Step: You’ll find out who they are during your subject induction sessions. They should email you to arrange a first meeting but if you don’t hear from them by the end of Week 2 then send them a message.

Originally posted by chloaw

First Week of Term…

Work will pick up quickly but there are still things you can do to help your learning.

1. Reading for Lectures and Classes

The start of Michaelmas term in first year is always tricky whilst you get your head round the LSE way of teaching.

Reading lists (see above) are available online so you can start studying whenever you like. Check that they have been updated for 2015/16 before you start, however.

Lecturers and teachers will have different expectations for reading; some will want you to do your work before the lecture, others won’t mind if you get your work done later for the following class instead.

Next Step: You won’t know what they are looking for until you attend your subject induction in Welcome Week, or even the first lecture in Week 1. If you have any questions beforehand then email the course convener but it really won’t be something to worry about in the early stages.

2. Taking Library Books Out

It is most likely that you’ll have to do studying in Week 1 (the week after Welcome Week). Whilst most of it will be online, you will probably still be asked to read books available in the Course Collection section of the Library. This is on the ground floor with the entrance just opposite the lifts.

Taking a book out is easy. When you register at LSE you’ll receive an ID card which you can then use to gain entry to buildings (including the Library). Find the books you need and then go to the issue machines close to the exit of the Course Collection. Follow the instructions on screen or ask any of the librarians if you need any help.

Next Step: More information is available online and is worth a read

3. Printing

Most printing facilities at LSE are available either in the Library or in halls. You’ll need to log in at a computer and then print your chosen document as you would on any Windows computer.

Once you have clicked print on the computer, you will need to go over to the nearest printer and log on at the computer which is next to it. You do not need to log off at the computer you are working at.

The screen on the second computer will be red and simply display a log on screen. Once you have logged on then you will see your chosen documents listed and you can press print. Your request will then be processed by the printer.

You will need to log on at this second computer within 15 minutes otherwise the printing system will no longer display your document (this does not mean that your document has been deleted from the main computer system, it simply disappears from the printing queue).

Next Step: Once you’ve arrived at LSE you will need to top up your LSE Wallet to give you money for printing (it’s not free). Instructions can be found here

If, later on, you have any queries about your course, or your wellbeing, then you can visit student services in the Old Building Atrium at the LSE, or the LSESU Advice Service can provide free and confidential support.

We have a proud tradition of incredible sportspeople at LSE. You can become one of them. Even if you don’t have your sights on the Olympics, there’s plenty of opportunity for you to blow off some steam from lecturers in our sports clubs. 

All sports clubs at LSE are affiliated to LSE Students’ Union - we have more than 40+ of them, with thousands of members.

You can meet members of the clubs in person at our Welcome Fair and try them out for free through the Give It A Go programme. In preparation, you can peruse a full list online at lsesu.com/join-in/sports/clubs or see below.

Athletics & Running

Badminton

Basketball - Men’s

Basketball - Women’s 

BJJ

Bodybuilding, Weightlifting and Powerlifting

Bowling

Canoe

Capoeira 

Cricket

Cycling

Dance

Fencing

Fives

Floorball

Football - Men’s 

Football - Women’s 

Futsal

Golf

Handball

Hockey

Horesriding

Jiu Jitsu

Kabaddi

Karate

Kitesurf and Wakeboard

Lacrosse

Mixed Ultimate Frisbee

MMA

Netball

Pole Fitness

Pool and Snooker

Rock Climbing

Rowing

Rugby - Men’s 

Rugby - Women’s 

Shooting

Snowsports

Squash 

Surf

Table Tennis

Tae Kwon Do

Tai Chi

Tennis

Triathlon

Volleyball

Water Polo

Wing Chun Kung Fu

Yoga

Find out more about LSESU in the website

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