1) Trek the campus/town walk – this will be the first time you take in your surroundings. I don’t know about you but I didn’t know what Lancaster looked like in daylight until second year. Take it in, experience it. It’s actually a very pretty city.
2) Try at least 10 of the shots at Hustle – I’m not talking tequila shots, I’m talking brain haemorrhage, toffee apple, horny devil and so much more. Avoid the cement mixer though, if you want to live. AVOID. THE. CEMENT MIXER!
3) For goodness sake, you’re in the Lake District! VISIT IT! Buttermere, Windermere, Ullswater Lake, they all sound like they are right next to Hogwarts (look like it too!) What’s not to like?
4) Walk the woodland trail – If the journey to the Lake District is a bit too much of a stretch this weekend, have a go at the woodland trail that circles the hole of campus which is in (you guessed it) the woods!
5) Turn up to a lecture in your pyjamas – Obviously this is an easier task for some than others. But if you are a fresher and live on campus, you have no excuse! In fact, I rocked up to a Monday morning lecture numerous times without realising I still had my pyjama top on. There’s just something liberating about being in George Fox at 9am surrounded by dancing hippos, Jack Wills stripes and oversized superman t-shirts. And, if you are hardcore enough, you out-of-campus-ers can give it ago. The number 3 doesn’t have a dress code!
6) Order a pizza and have it delivered to the library – Now it is little common knowledge that I’ve picked up in whispers through the spine that in some Lancaster pizza takeaways they will deliver right to your desk in the library. Why not give ago? I’d recommend it for all-nighters, when that trip to Sultans is just that bit too much and you have that half completed 2000 word essay in for 9am the next morning.
7) Visit every bar on campus. There are 9, you have approximately 3 years to visit that illusive Grad college bar – seems doable.
8) Have a DMC in McDonald’s at 3 in the morning – It could be with your significant other, your best friend or someone you found on the street. There’s nothing like being surrounded by drunken students with your big box of chicken nuggets and that free burger to free your emotions.
9) Get a selfie with Terry – On a further note, your McDonald’s experience would not be the 5 star experience without our local celebrity Terry from McDonald’s. When you’re in dire need for a pick me up, cleaner table or a hug, Terry will always be there. Thank you Terry, we love you!
10) Go to Sugar – Now this one is a bit of a cop out, EVERYONE’S been to Sugar. Or have they? In my final term last year, I managed to stumble upon a 3rd year who had never set a foot inside. No judgement if you don’t go out but this guy went out on a regular occasion. You know who you are! It’s all part of the Lancaster University experience!