The reality of moving to London for University: A parent’s survival guide 

It is natural to have mixed feelings when your child is coming to study in London because on one hand, you are happy that your child is making a mark in life and moving into the next phase, but at the same time, you are concerned about rent, safety, traveling, eating, budgeting and coping away from home.

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It is natural to have mixed feelings when your child is coming to study in London because on one hand, you are happy that your child is making a mark in life and moving into the next phase, but at the same time, you are concerned about rent, safety, traveling, eating, budgeting and coping away from home.

London is the best city to be a student in. From world-class universities, libraries, museums, employment opportunities, to food and people, there is everything just a walk away. However, it is equally challenging, crowded, noisy and sometimes lonely, too. It is just that part of London that parents realize when their children start living in the city.

It is not your responsibility to manage all the aspects of your child’s student life in London. Rather, it is your responsibility to prepare them for student life in London.

Understand That London Will Seem Huge At First

Even if you are confident that your child will be able to cope well with moving away from home, you need to understand that London is a huge place and can seem even bigger to newcomers. The city operates quickly; the underground can be confusing; prices in shops might be higher than expected; crossing the city in the morning might take much more time than planned.

When this happens, don’t get alarmed. Hard weeks at the beginning do not necessarily indicate that they have made a wrong decision. On the contrary, this is how adaptation happens and takes time to adjust to new surroundings, routines and even friendships. You can help by explaining that the first month does not reflect the entire university life.

Academic Help Without Stepping In

Students in London usually experience two significant transitions simultaneously: getting used to a new environment and coping with more complicated academic tasks. Your kid may get an extensive list of books to read, a group project, an essay, a lab assignment, a presentation or a research task. If they call you because they feel overwhelmed, your natural reaction will probably be to solve all their problems. However, try helping them navigate the situation instead.

For instance, if they cannot cope with a complicated research assignment, you could help them to divide the process into several steps, such as understanding the topic, finding appropriate sources, making notes, planning the structure and working on separate paragraphs. There are also many students who are looking for academic help and look up ‘write a research paper by professionals,’ in case they have to learn academic structure and writing. The proper attitude of parents in this situation would be guiding their children to the source they need the most right now.

Discuss Finances Before The Situation Gets Ugly

One of the largest surprises of studying in London is the money factor. The rent can be pricey. Public transport will cost extra money. Food may become quite expensive if a student does not prepare their meals in advance. Socializing might also cost some money, especially if your child is struggling to fit in among new people.

Discuss financial issues with your child before they move to London. According to UCAS, students in London are entitled to more maintenance loans due to the high living costs in the city. At the same time, the household income plays a significant role when it comes to how much support a student will get from maintenance loans in England. 

Discuss the budget together; however, do not make every call about finances an accounting discussion. Your child should learn something about money management, not be judged every time they get a coffee.

Make A Moving List Together

The moving process will be more stress-free if you create a simple plan for it. You don’t have to organize everything in the student’s possession because London flats are usually tiny, and there is always too much stuff.

Here is the list of basic things that should be checked before the moving day:

• Ensure accommodation details, arrival time, and key collection procedure are known.
• Keep addresses of the university, halls of residence, and emergency contacts handy.
• Find out what is included in the flat and buy bedding or kitchenware accordingly.
• Organize the online bank account and set the daily card limits.
• Decide on the grocery shopping and make a cheap meal menu.
• Install necessary travel applications and know the nearest Tube, bus or train station routes.
• Put all documents in one place rather than burying them at the bottom of the suitcase.
• Talk about the frequency of checking up on each other during the first weeks of moving.

Such a list brings peace of mind to you both and helps your child to start planning independently.

Be Prepared For Homesickness

It is natural to feel homesick, and it might even affect someone who really enjoys London. It could be expressed through sadness, anger, or silence. They could call about minor issues on one very bad day and claim, “I don’t think I can do it anymore.”

Sometimes it is better to let them vent rather than to give advice. Your child may not need detailed plans at all; all they need is to talk to you and feel understood. Simply saying, “That sounds really tough. I’m glad you told me,” can be more comforting than any lecture.

According to Annie Lambert, an expert in student life, parents should regard homesickness as a typical sign of adjustment, not as a sign of failure of the student. It is a good attitude to have.

Get Them To Create Their Own London Routine

Life in London eats away at time. Students can lose hours traveling, socializing, browsing, or just deciding what to do next. Routines make life easier and simpler.

Here is how you could suggest that your kid start creating their own routines:

• Pick one grocery shopping day.
• Cook some meals yourself and don’t eat out too often.
• Go to the library or study room on a fixed day and time during the week.
• Make sure you have enough time to get to the classes.
• Leave one night for yourself – for sleeping and nothing else.
• Become a member of one club, society, sport team or student group.
• Discover some of the free entertainment spots in London.

The decision to move to London for further studies is indeed a major milestone in the life of both your child and yourself. It is perfectly natural that you will be feeling all sorts of emotions, from being proud of them to worrying about them, and even feeling a little bit left out.

All that you can do now is get your child ready, trust them and still be there whenever needed.