When you’re struggling with the daily expenses of studying in London, it can be hard to feel like you can treat yourself. Of course, there are plenty of Instagrammable cafes and expensive Pilates classes you could be going to but there are also plenty of free things you can do to look after yourself mentally and physically! Here is our round up of fun activities you can try during each season:
Autumn
So, you’ve just arrived at university or got back from your summer adventures… what better time than to get involved in the activities run by KCLSU wellbeing? During Wellbeing Week (6-12 November) they offer free events and lots of freebies to draw you in. You can also try unlimited sports and fitness classes for £30 a year with King’s BeActive! And why not reflect on the upcoming year with a bit of journalling? Getting your worries and goals onto the page is great for relieving stress.
Winter
Although the days are shorter and darker, you can brighten up your days by playing online games with friends (big games like League of Legends or Valorant are free). It is also a great time to organise a movie night. If you fancy braving the cold, there are Christmas markets and displays around London. Even if you don’t buy anything, the Christmas spirit is really uplifting. To stay fit you can do home workouts that you can find on YouTube; when you want to stay inside all the time it is good to get some movement in!
Spring
This is the best time to start getting out after the winter cold. Try making a coffee at home and going for a walk around your local park or green areas. There are an endless number of unique shops around Shoreditch, Sloane Square or Soho. You might even find a great bargain by thrifting in the many charity shops. To stay fit, try the Couch to 5k challenge which helps even the most useless of runners to start running. And if you’re not quite a beginner anymore, find the nearest ParkRun for fun weekly runs (or brisk walks) with others. Not a keen runner? Download the King’s Move app and get points for tracking your steps. You can then redeem your points for a free hot drink and pastry at any of the King’s food cafés/restaurants across campuses.
Summer
It’s time to get out in the sun and soak up some Vitamin D. If it is too hot, hang out in any of the free air-conditioned museums and art galleries all around the city. For those wanting a tan, having a picnic on Hampstead Heath or Hyde Park is cheap and easy. Enjoy the sunset from Alexandra Palace or the Tate Modern and walk the long way home, you might even pass a city farm full of cute animals. King's also has loads of opportunities around the summer time like global exchanges and research internships for which you can get funding, so check them out if you don’t think you can afford your dream holiday this year!
Sometimes though life gets hard and it’s okay to say you might need some help. King's has lots of help available to you: check out the KCLSU Wellbeing Hub or contact someone on the crisis page if you need urgent help. There are also pages on Student Services Online which have great tips on staying healthy both in terms of your wellbeing and spending: