Attending university will be a mark in your life, where you will carry every little experience with you forever.

There will be great moments to celebrate, amazing experiences to live, a few bumps in the road, and possibly a lot of missing home – or maybe not.

But before you dive into what will be a new chapter in your academic life, there are a few things you should know about Southampton.

Health

Even when you take precautions, accidents happen and if something occurs, even if it is a minimal cold, you should know where to go.

This is the place where you can go for medical advice and your doctor will advise you on which precautions to take for diverse health issues.

In Southampton, there are various hospitals where you can seek assistance, but in case of severe emergencies, you should head to the Southampton General Hospital.

Also, throughout town, there are various pharmacies which can assist and advise you on safety and medical needs.

Useful Contacts

Moving into a new city and attending university for the first time can be wonderful and exciting, but also very overwhelming.

In the following list, you can find a few contacts that might be helpful for you to have, in case of any emergency or need for mental support.

In an emergency always call 999, for non-emergent requests or inquiries you can call the police on 101.

Wellbeing Groups

No Limits is a charity offering information, advice, counselling, advocacy and support to young people under the age of 26 in Hampshire

02380 224 224 or enquiries@nolimitshelp.org.uk

Yellow Door is a charity offering support and prevention services to anyone at risk from or affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence or abuse or any other forms of interpersonal harm.

023 8063 6312 or info@yellowdoor.org.uk

ManGang provides a platform for men in Southampton and across Hampshire who struggle with the pressures of every modern life. It offers support for men suffering from mental health.

03300436525 or info@mangang.org

Life in Southampton

Southampton is huge in stores and local businesses, whether you're looking for a day out shopping at West Quay Shopping Centre, or across the road at Marlands on the various stores on the high street, you will be pleased to know there are options for all your needs.

If you're looking for a new chair or furniture, IKEA sits just behind West Quay and there you will find everything that you need to decorate your new student flat or house.

Food

From meat lovers’ shops to vegan venues, and fast food to multicultural cuisines, Southampton is known for its variety of restaurants.

If you are a fan of Asian food, in Bedford Place, High Street and Ocean Village you will find some of the many Asian restaurants in town that might suit you, such as Blue Jasmine, Mango Thai Tapas and Oriental Nights.

But if you are feeling a more European taste and are looking forward to having a bowl of pasta or Italian traditional pizza, either Bella Italia, at the end of Houndwell Park, or Popsi’s in Bedford Place, might be the best restaurant for your appetite. 

Also, in Bedford place and throughout the city centre you can find other venues with vegan options and animal-free dishes, from coffee and snacks to lunch and dinner such as Cafe Thrive, Késarum, and Halladay's Tea Rooms.

For a sweeter dish, there is also plenty of solutions where you can pick and choose which dessert to have, including in the Heavenly Desserts shop and Cream Café.

There are also a few local coffee shops that will certainly be suitable for your afternoon studies or catching up with friends. Muse Coffee, Retro Café and Mettricks Coffee & Brunch will not disappoint you. 

Entertainment

For movie sessions or group night outs, Southampton has a different range of places where you can certainly entertain yourself.

Next to West Quay, you can find the Showcase Cinema de Lux where besides a cinema, the building is also home to restaurants such as Casa Brasil and L’Osteria, and Hollywood Bowl.

If you step outside of the building, you will face The Quays Swimming and Diving Centre where you can either practise some sport or have fun in Southampton’s indoor pools.

Escape rooms and other occupations such as climbing and practising some 1st Base Baseball, are other activities that you can also do in Southampton.

Talking nightlife: where to begin?

If you are already a resident of Southampton, even for a short period, you must have heard about the nightlife that you can expect within the town.

From pubs and live concert venues to bars and nightclubs, Bedford Place and the High Street are the most recurrent places where young people get together and enjoy the night spirit that fills the streets of Southampton every week.

Part of Southampton’s university experience includes going out to places such as Orange Rooms, Trilogy, Tokyo Bar, Switch, Café Parfait and The Edge & The Box Bar.

In this fresher’s week, you will most likely hear about the wide range of options you have to spend the most memorable nights in town.

Make sure to ask the clubs’ promoters at your university about discounts and free entrances, as they will be able to help get integrated into Southampton’s night live.

Nature

If you enjoy going for walks, Southampton Common is a park of reference where in your own time you can be around nature.

Mayflower Park is a different destination, which takes place at the Port of Southampton, having had a crucial role up until this day in the shipping of merchandise and tourists into and out of town.

Here you can read a book under the park’s trees with an exclusive view of the multiple cruise ships that sail the Solent waters.

For animal lovers, there is the New Forest, considered to be one of the most beautiful places around Southampton, where you will certainly get the chance to see some animals such as ponies and horses.

You can take the bus or train to get there through Southampton Central Railway Station.

Culture

Places like the Bargate, situated in the famous High Street, used to be the principal entrance to the city in its medieval times and until this day is one of the greatest monumental landmarks of Southampton.

As a resident of Southampton, you should at least have one photo with the two majestic lions guarding the monument!

Part of Southampton’s maritime history is having been the starting point where the legendary Titanic shipped its way for its unforgettable tragic journey.

For further discoveries and an understanding of Southampton’s background, you can visit the city’s SeaCity Museum and Solent Sky Museum, located next to Southampton City Council and the city’s library.

Last but not least, opposite the museums’ there is Guildhall Square, which is nothing less than the heart of Southampton, home to events to take place and where you can find the Mayflower Theatre and the John Hansard Gallery.

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