There are many things that are so obvious a student will need for studying, like their laptop or notebooks, but people often forget things that are essential for your international university experience. To help make your time in Lincoln a little easier, here is our short list of essentials, some of which will be important and others “just-nice-to-know”.

1. Raincoat and Umbrella

Yes, it’s true, England is known for its rainy weather conditions and unfortunately Lincoln is no exception. But do not fear, with a raincoat and umbrella by your side, you can enjoy each day no matter how unpredictable the weather decides to be.

2. plug socket Adapters

The UK uses Type B sockets so if your electrical devices don’t fit these sockets you’ll need to invest in some adapters.

Here is where you can buy them online.

3. ID and driver’s license

Don’t just bring it with you, have it on you at all times! You’ll need it for going clubbing but also if you happen to take a spontaneous day trip to the pub, many places require you to be 18 just to enter the building.

4. Medicine

Some say you can’t escape England without a dreaded cold, so if you fall victim to this it’s important you have medicine handy to help you recover. We recommend having a store of paracetamol, ibuprofen and cough syrup. If you’re really under the weather then try Lemsip to relieve cold and flu. Find these in most drug stores (we’d recommend Wilko’s).

5. bank card

Payments in other countries can sometimes be difficult and expensive so we’d advice pre-planning your banking situation before travelling to Lincoln. The most popular options are debit and credit cards, which are available from a range of banks, most of which have special offers for students. But be aware! Keep an eye out for extra fees when using these cards in the UK.

6. for travellers: The Railcard

From Lincoln you can travel to a lot of places by train. It’s amazing for daytrips or weekend excursions. When you plan to do something like that you should have a look at the railcards. But be aware! You can save more money, when you plan your trips wise.

For example, when travelling from Lincoln to Manchester there are often changes at Sheffield. Instead of buying a ticket straight away, sometimes it’s cheaper to buy separate journeys, e.g. Lincoln > Sheffield, and then Sheffield > Manchester.

7. Bikes

If you’re not staying that close to campus or supermarkets then buying or renting a bike can be very useful and can save a lot of money. The University of Lincoln Sports Centre lease bikes to their students for a small price and deposit.

More information..