This is my fourth week in London. I have gained a good knowledge of Queen Mary University of London Mile End campus and its surroundings over the past three weeks. In this blog, I will write some useful tips for you about how I prepare for classes and where I shop for groceries.
Class Preparation
There was a campus map inside the welcome box that Queen Mary prepared for its residents. I took some time to mark on the map where my classes will take place alongside my class schedules. I then used this map to explore the campus during the welcome week. There were campus tours offered by the Students’ Union as well. It was a great opportunity for me to get to know where each building and classroom was located, so I won’t get lost when class begins. The map is a very helpful tool for me because smartphones are not so “smart” when navigating between buildings.
Grocery shopping
Shopping for groceries formed an essential part of my life in London because I cooked almost every day in the kitchen that shared by 9 of us in the flat. Therefore, I learned where to get food around campus very well. There are two local markets, Saintsbury and Co-op, located in different directions of mile end road. Sainsbury locates across the Queen’s Buiding. Their doughnuts are perfect for breakfast, and they offer a 3-pound meal that you can get a sandwich, a canned beverage, and chips for 3 pounds. It is a good deal for me to fetch a fast lunch. Co-op sits closer to the residence halls. I will shop there for fresh vegetable, fruits, and meat for it is takes less time to carry back. On the weekends, I will take the tube to go to Westfield, a mall that just one stop away from mile end station. Marks & Spencers, one of the major retail stores in the UK. that sells clothing, home goods as well as food products, is my favorite store in Westfield. M&S has better quality products and their prices are a bit higher as well. I can find my favorite muscat grapes and brioche bread there. If you have the chance to come and shop at Westfield, I would definitely recommend a bubble tea place called T4. Their jadeite royal tea with boba is the best. 🙂
Hope you find my tips useful!
