Travel the Toon: top tips and tricks for navigating your new city

The most reassuring thing about being a first-year student in a new city is knowing that you’re not the first. Many have come before you, feeling overwhelmed about their new surroundings and not knowing where to start. The second most reassuring thing about being a first-year student is that no one expects you to either. 

These may sound like the most cliché things to say. It’s the most free you’ll feel in your life, you’re allowed to make mistakes, you can just aimlessly wander around, etc. But they’re the most cliché things to say because, for the most part, they’re true. 

But it’s always good to have at least a rough idea of what or what not to do. So, here’s a few tips:

1. Have a look before you arrive

It’s always worth having a quick Google as you’re packing, just to see anything that might stick out to you. Museums, bars, food shops, study spaces, coffee shops, you name it. It’s always a good conversation starter for you and your new flatmates in the inevitable group chat you all make before you move in. Whether you’re looking for things to do together or solo trips to the town, it’s always good to hear other people’s suggestions in case there’s something you missed while looking on your own. 

2. Don’t just look in the city centre

The city centre may be packed with great shops, clubs and galleries, but Newcastle is just one of the many places you can visit in and around Tyneside and Northumberland. We’re only a short trip away from the coast, so you can easily go and have a lovely beach trip at Tynemouth or Whitley Bay, visiting everything from Tynemouth Priory to St Mary’s Lighthouse. There’s several stops along Hadrian’s Wall to visit, to the gorgeous Cragside House, to the very popular Beamish Museum, all relatively short bus and train rides away. And speaking of transport…

3. Get yourself a Pop card 

If you want to go anywhere in and around the city, having a Pop card is essential. Just like the Oyster card on the London Underground, this gets you on all Metro trains and local buses for a really good price - a trip to Tynemouth and back is just £2. Just tap in when boarding, tap out when leaving, and you don’t need to worry. 

4. Try something you’ve never tried before

This isn’t necessarily something you have to do, but there’s always a sense of satisfaction that comes from trying something you might never have done before. Whether that’s trying a new food, conquering a fear in one of the many activities at Welcome Week, or starting a new hobby, there’s plenty of opportunities for you to roam around the Toon, finding new things to do.