1. First and foremost: To get the most out of your experience, you have to put yourself out there. Sitting in your room and waiting for something fun and exciting to happen is like expecting to get 4.0 after never going to class. Introduce yourself to everyone. Ask if you can tag along to dinner/movies/going into town. Stepping out of your comfort zone is half the reason for studying abroad anyway.
2. I feel like this should be obvious but bring RELIABLE rain boots and a raincoat with a hood. It rains about once a day here in Liverpool but usually only for an hour or so. It just so happens that the hour it rains is when I'm walking to class/town/anywhere outside.
3. People dress nicer here than in America. Don't expect to go to class in sweatpants and a messy bun. Bring jeans, cute sweaters and dresses with black tights. And when you look better you feel better so why not?
4. You will get homesick. You will miss your friends. You will see Facebook pictures from everyone at home having a great time and feel like you are missing out. But you will also be making amazing memories of your own, growing up, learning about yourself, meeting great friends and more. Don't get caught up in stalking everyones Facebook pictures, it only makes things worse.
5. Buy train tickets in advance. Don't just turn up at a train station and buy a ticket unless you still haven't realized that money does not grow on trees. You will save literally hundreds of pounds if you purchase tickets weeks in advance. The same goes for hostels and airfare.
6. Buy a young persons rail card. It is 30 pounds but you save 30% on each train ticket you buy. It pays for itself within 1-2 trips.
7. Lots of drinks over here are carbonated. Lemonade is the same thing as sprite because it is carbonated. Their version of gatorade is carbonated. Sometimes water is even carbonated. Look at the label before purchasing.
8. Have a rough estimate of the currency exchange from dollars to pounds. Right now it is around 1.7 dollars to 1 British pound so money goes FAST. I am not a math person so every time I look at a price tag (and cry for my bank account) I multiply the number by 2, then subtract a little. Very scientific I know, but it actually works for the conversion very well.
9. Bring a wallet that is coin-friendly. They have 8 coins -1 penny, 2 pence, 5, 10, 20, 50, 1 pound, 2 pound- compared to our four coins. You jingle everywhere you walk but you get used to it.
10. Come prepared to eat chips (french fries) EVERY SINGLE DAY. I would actually suggest avoiding fries for about 3 months before you come over here just so you don't get sick of them. They are served with every meal, every where, at all time, constantly etc.. Also, be prepared for lots of peas and mushrooms.
