Student Life in Lancaster: Your September Guide to Starting University

September has arrived, which means Lancaster is about to welcome thousands of new and returning students for another academic year.

If you're moving into student accommodation in Lancaster and starting university this autumn, the next few weeks will probably involve a mixture of unpacking, meeting new people, finding your way around and discovering everything the city has to offer.

Whether you're studying at Lancaster University or the University of Cumbria, here's a useful introduction to student life in Lancaster.

Welcome to Lancaster

One of the great things about studying in Lancaster is the size of the city. There's plenty going on, but the centre is compact enough that it doesn't take long to find your way around.

You'll find shops, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants and nightlife throughout the city centre, while Lancaster Canal and the surrounding countryside provide plenty of options when you want something a little quieter.

If you've chosen Lancaster student accommodation in or around the city centre, you'll often find many of the things you need are within walking distance.

Getting to University

It's worth working out your route to campus before your first proper day of lectures.

Lancaster University is situated to the south of the city and is served by regular bus services from Lancaster. Many students therefore choose to live in the city and travel to campus.

The University of Cumbria's Lancaster campus is closer to the city centre, meaning students living in many popular residential areas can walk to university.

Wherever you're living, give yourself a practice journey before you actually need to be somewhere at 9am!

Discover Lancaster City Centre

Once you've worked out the important routes, spend some time exploring without Google Maps telling you where to go.

Lancaster has a mixture of familiar high street names and independent businesses, with plenty of places to eat, drink and shop throughout the centre.

You'll soon discover your own favourites, whether that's somewhere for coffee between lectures, a quick lunch, a night out or somewhere to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Living in a Lancaster Student House

For many students, September is also the first experience of living independently.

Moving into student housing in Lancaster means getting used to looking after your own space, sharing communal areas and dealing with all the everyday jobs that someone else might previously have done.

If you're sharing with friends or new housemates, getting into good habits early can make the year much easier. Keep communal areas tidy, communicate with each other and deal with little issues before they become bigger ones.

Know Where to Find Help With Your Accommodation

If you're a Mighty Student Living tenant, you don't have to remember everything about your tenancy on day one.

Our Tenant Handbook provides useful information that you can refer back to throughout the year, covering your home, maintenance, emergencies and other important tenancy information.

If something in your property requires maintenance, you can also use our online Report a Repair service.

It's worth bookmarking both pages on your phone now. You might not need them today, but you'll know exactly where they are when you do.

Make the Most of Freshers and Welcome Events

Your first few weeks aren't just about finding lecture theatres.

University welcome events, societies and student activities are a good opportunity to meet people outside your course and discover something new.

You don't have to sign up for everything. Try the things that genuinely interest you and give yourself some time to work out how you want your university experience to look.

Explore Beyond the University Bubble

Living in Lancaster means you have much more than your university campus on your doorstep.

Take a walk along Lancaster Canal, explore Williamson Park, discover the city's history or simply spend an afternoon wandering around somewhere you haven't visited before.

You're going to be calling Lancaster home for a while, so getting to know the city beyond your journey between home and university is well worth it.

Give Yourself Time to Settle In

There's often pressure to have an amazing time immediately after arriving at university, but settling into a new city and a new home takes time.

Don't worry if you haven't found your favourite places or made your closest friends during your first week. Lancaster will quickly start to feel more familiar as you develop your routine and get to know the people and places around you.

Still Searching for Student Accommodation in Lancaster?

If your plans have changed or you're arriving in Lancaster without accommodation confirmed, there may still be options available.

Mighty Student Living specialises in student accommodation Lancaster students can call home, with a range of student houses, individual rooms, studios and apartments across the city.

We're based here in Lancaster, so our team knows the local student market and can help you understand which available properties might suit you.

Browse our available Lancaster student accommodation or contact Mighty Student Living to speak to our team.