Its been almost a week since I've written but like anytime you go to a new place it takes some time to get settled and create some form of routine. People are creatures of habit to some degree( or at least I am). I personally like having a bit of structure, I'm not saying planning out every bit of every day, but its nice to know that when I wake up I'm going to get a cup of coffee. I am starting to understand what my life is going to be like for the next year. I've never lived on my own in the middle of a major city before so it required a bit of adjustment. For example, coming from Los Angeles where everyone drives, the idea of walking 25 minutes to campus sounded, and felt at first, like hell. However I've discovered I actually like the walk to campus. I like walking quickly through the streets watching as other people go to work or the store or wherever else they are going. I know that as the weather get colder and it starts to rain more often I might begin to feel differently but at this moment in time....I'm enjoying the walks.
But getting off that tangent, I am truly enjoying London as well as LSE. Its a great city full of amazing sites and people and LSE, though I know its going to be a challenge, is going to turn into such a rewarding expereince. This first week has been a little bit odd though. Since classes don't start until this upcoming Monday, I haven't met many people in the same year as me. Like all LSE dorms, only freshman (or freshers as they are called here) as well as graduate students (or post grads) live in my hall. The freshers and post grads are all very nice and I know that I'm going to have good friends from both years-but its strange to think that I still haven't met one person in their second or third year at the LSE. I know that once classes start thats going to change but right now it is slightly odd.
I had the study abroad orientation yesterday where we learned all about LSE and what it has to offer, what its like living here, going to school here etc. What I learned about LSE that made me the most nervous was the fact that not only is your entire grade in the class based upon your final test at the end of the year (which I actually already knew) BUT only 14% of the class gets the equivilant of an A! This means I'm going to have to study really dilligently in order to make sure that I do as well as I possibly can on the exam. This could prove to be difficult cause I often have a tendency to procrastinate and really can't afford to do it this year.
wow I just read this post and didnt mean to write about all my mundane fears about living here. I guess theyu are just subconsiously in the back of my mind. I also signed up for a lot of clubs ( or societies) yesterday. Its different thatn in the states where you can just sign up for anything you want to take. Here you have to pay at least one pound per society. I ended up picking a few which im very excited about, including Mondel UN. I think that this is going to be great becasue hopefully I will be involved in more of the conferences.
So far I have had a wonderful time and I acutally cant wait until classes start on Monday! I'll do my best to write regularly as possible my goal is every othe day but well see how that goes :)