Making the most of the social experience at LSE Summer School

In this blog, I’d like to share my experience of meeting new people at Summer School, through both the events programme and my course, and share some tips for making the most out of all the opportunities on offer at LSE Summer School.

When I arrived in London last summer, I did not expect the social benefits to be as great as the academic ones. It was so easy to make friends – everyone was happy to chat and go to events together, as we were all looking to make connections. Below are my top 3 pieces of advice to get the most out of your social experience in London, and meet lots of new people.

 

1: Take the initiative and make plans with your fellow students – don’t be scared to be the first to ask, as soon other people will follow your example.

On the first day of the programme, I took the initiative to create a WhatsApp group for the people taking the same course as me. The idea was to include everybody and to use this group chat for social purposes, such as dinner arrangements, nights out in London and meet ups before the LSE social events – I really recommend this to anyone attending future Summer School courses, as it really paid off!

The social experience at Summer School was great – in only the first week, I had plans almost every day outside of school hours with people from my course. We loved exploring London, having dinner at the London Sky Garden, getting cocktails at bars such as the Alchemist and at the Amano Hotel Rooftop bar, and watching the football in the campus pub, just to mention a few examples. Summer School creates an environment where everybody is welcome and willing to get to know you, and gives you a lot of opportunities to meet people outside of the classroom.

 

2: Participate in the events arranged by LSE. It is a unique opportunity to meet new people and make friends from other courses than your own.

I made a point to go to as many events organised by LSE Summer School as I could – they offer both free and paid events, which range from parties, to day trips, to sports classes. A particular favourite event of mine was the Boat Party. At this event, you cruise along the River Thames with other Summer School students, enjoying drinks, food and music into the night. As around 600 people attend, you have the ultimate opportunity to talk to fellow LSE Summer School students from other courses than the one you are taking. You are literally all in the same boat, and people are very willing to chat to you. The party itself is also a great experience as you get to see London by night from the River Thames, while enjoying your favourite drink, accompanied by your fellow LSE Summer School students. My own experience was awesome as I got to meet new people and talk to people from my course that I hadn’t talked to much prior to the party.

You can also attend Spark events, which are geared at developing your professional skills. I heard from fellow students that these events are also an extraordinary opportunity to get to know people from other courses than your own, and develop key skills. With that in mind, I made sure to secure a spot for at least three events in my last week at LSE.

Two of the Spark events I went to taught me how to write the best cover letter and make the best first impression possible, when I need to apply for my next job. They were called 'Cover Letters: Writing For Success' and 'How To Make The Most Out Of Your Internship'. Another event I went to, called 'Lean Startup', provided me with valuable information on how to avoid the classic traps when starting a business. The event focused on areas such as how to get into a specific market, what to consider when making a business plan etc. Two other events I went to were called '3 Core Principles of Innovative Leadership' and 'Giving and Receiving Feedback'. I would recommend these two Spark events for anyone who aspires to become a leader. Through different exercises and storytelling, the presenters of the events managed to give the audience some great advice on how to tackle different situations involving leadership and feedback. The final Spark event I went to was called 'What They Don’t Tell You At Business School'. This was a really interesting event focusing on the importance of maintaining good mental health and avoiding stress when building a career in business. It was great to learn about the presenter’s own work experience at a large bank and subsequent mental development.

At the events I attended, it was easy to exchange contact details and social media handles with new people, which was a good way to expand my network, and I am still in touch with them now.

 

3: Go out and have fun, but remember to listen to your body and mind. Give yourself a break once in a while and recharge your batteries.

The social experience at LSE can be intense and overwhelming for some people – I certainly found that at times. It is both normal and human to feel exhausted, when you socialise with such high intensity, while also taking a new course, which is why it is also important to relax when you need it. I have learned the importance of listening to my body and my mind when considering whether to go out with my friends or not. The first couple of days, I felt that I had to say yes to everything, or even take the initiative to arrange activities myself, just to not miss out on any experience. I had a lot of fun, but it was also very much needed when I finally took a day off and watched a movie instead of going out.

I hope that this blog has been helpful and informative. Remember to embrace the opportunities that LSE Summer School provides and have an open mind. Go to the social events, go to the Spark events and expand your network. It will be a summer to remember.

 

This blog was written by one of our 2024 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.