|
Quick Tips for New LSE Students – USA 
By
Brett Noble, LSE MSc Politics and Communication ‘09
Academic
· Written assignments
o Unlike the U.S. system, you won’t get top marks for regurgitating what
has been said in lecture or in the reading. The British system values originality.
The papers that receive the top marks are generally those that show a strong
understanding of the literature/subject matter and take it a step
forward by incorporating outside theories and case studies. Do not go off on
tangents, but show how theories and examples can be challenged or supported by
new information.
o British assignments expect your paper to have a strong and clear argument.
More than just a thesis statement often emphasized in U.S. undergraduate
writing, this should usually be a debatable claim that you can support with
evidence. Depending on the assignment, you should outline supporting and
opposing evidence, and make a clear argument for your position.
o British writing prompts are often quite broad, so don’t feel that you
have to answer the entire question in order to do well. It is especially easy
to fall into a summary rather than an argument if you don’t make your argument
more specific.
o Always make sure to meet with the course convenor or your personal tutor
with questions about paper prompts. While most departments forbid instructors
from reading drafts, they can point you in the right direction.
· Exams
o Don’t stress
about them until March at the earliest.
o Since most Americans are not used to waiting until the end of the year
to take exams, the British system can seem daunting. In order to recall
information learned earlier in the year, one useful strategy is to make
outlines of the reading, making note of the important arguments of
topics. Form study groups to review important lecture and reading concepts
throughout the year.
o Since most departments allow students to choose 2 out of 6 questions, 1
out of 3 questions, etc., don’t feel like you have to master 100% of the
material for every course in order to do well.
o Past exams are posted on the library website for all courses going back
a number of years, so use them as a resource! Some questions appear virtually
every year on exams, and some are more sporadic. This can guide your studying.
o Qualities that make a good exam answer are similar to those that make
good written assignments: demonstrated mastery of course literature,
originality and a strong argument.
· Library
o There is not a need to buy a large number of books for courses like in
many U.S. systems. The library course collection provides multiple
copies of assigned texts that can be checked out for periods of 24 hours to a
week. Do not buy books for courses until you finish your first week of class
and review the availability of course collection texts.
o Don’t turn in Course Collection books late! There is a fee by the hour!
o If studying in groups, book a
private room in the library online, as late as the day before
o If you need to print something and
you have your own laptop, there is no need to log into a library or residential
computer – you can do it directly from your laptop. See LSE Library web site or
ask a librarian for details.
o If you need a library book that
someone else has checked out, you can place it on hold. This will ensure that
you will receive the book next, and sometimes reduces the due date so the book
is returned for you sooner.
· Places on campus to study (other than the library)
o Old Building – 4th Floor
o Computer lab in East Building, 1st
Floor
o Lincoln’s Inn Fields (pending
weather)
Social,
Shopping & Entertainment
· The 3 Tuns, located on the ground floor of the East Building, is the
cheapest option for drinks on or near campus.
· Clubs in
London stay open much later than in the U.S., often til 5 or 6am. However,
grocery stories and most pubs stop selling alcohol at 11pm. Make sure and show
up before “last call.” Establishments that serve drinks past 11pm are sometimes
referred to as “off license” pubs or sellers.
· Students
can often receive discounts for showing their LSE cards, even if it isn’t
posted in businesses. Inquiring can often save you a few pounds!
· London
restaurants often add a tax to eat food inside the restaurant, or a reduction
in price for take-away orders. If the weather is nice, consider taking the food
to a park or bench elsewhere to eat.
· For
cheap, last minute theatre tickets, visit the booths in Leicester Square.
· Camden
and Borough markets are great places to try cheap ethnic food and go shopping.
· Plan
something fun for a Bank Holiday, like going to a pub with friends.
· Oxford
Street is perhaps the most famous place to go shopping in London, but the
nearby Canarby Street is quieter and less touristy.
· Restaurant
recommendations:
o Asian fusion: Wagamama (located throughout London)
o Japanese: Misato (huge portions,
cheap prices – line usually goes out the door)
o British pubs: Shakespeare’s Head,
The Princess Louise, The Coal Hole, Ye Old Cheshire Cheese (all near LSE)
o French: Kensington Crepes (highly
recommended)
o Indian: Go to Brick Lane, near
Liverpool Street station
o American: Gourmet Burger Kitchen,
aka “GBK” (Check their website for 2 for 1 discounts).
o Mexican: Chilango, Wahaca
o Jacket potatoes/coffee: Hot Gossip
(on Kingsway, give student discount).
Transportation
· A blinking green light in a London crosswalk is not like the blinking
red hand in the U.S. – cars can and will proceed through the intersection and
will honk before running you over.
· To save
money on transport, buy an Oyster card, which you can “top up” in any
underground station and in many London stores.
· Although
the London Underground is usually a fast and effective method of travel, it is
sometimes faster to walk or take a bus, especially in central London and in the
areas surrounding LSE. To check for the fastest mode of public transportation,
visit www.tfl.co.uk. This website is also valuable because it will notify you
when lines are closed or when there are significant delays. In such cases, the
web site will provide instructions for alternative routes that can save you
significant time and hassle!
· The
Heathrow Express is heavily advertised as the “fastest way to central London,”
but it’s far more expensive and only slightly faster on average than taking the
Piccadilly Line of the London Underground. Look for the underground logo when
you clear customs & immigration.
· If you
know people leaving London on similar days and times, shared ride vans can
sometimes be a cheap and easy way to get to airports, especially when carrying
heavy luggage.
· Cheap
Airfare Sites
o Travelocity
o Student Universe
Miscellaneous
· Bring an umbrella when you leave every morning. Sunny days
quickly turn into rainstorms throughout the year in London.
· Argos, a chain of stores located
throughout London, is a great place to buy miscellaneous home supplies such as
bedding, laundry supplies, etc.
· Go to
speaking events/debates at LSE. They are almost always free for students, and
feature some of the most important political and social leaders in the world.
· Don’t
transfer too much U.S. currency into British Pounds at any one point. Exchange
rates can change fast.
|
