It is no surprise that many young people from London choose to venture up North for university, the low living costs and even lower alcohol costs are a foolproof way to enhance any university experience.
Though this has its bonuses – there’s a Greggs on every street corner and people seem less determined to avoid eye contact on public transport, it means that a return to the capital provides some negative surprises.
Students are notorious for their lazy streak. Being overly active seems unnecessary when Game of Thrones can be watched from bed and Domino’s can be eaten from it. The shock of living costs upon their return, however, might make them want to hibernate even longer.
Need a harrowing example of inflation for an economics exam? Try buying an all-day travel card. Need a reminder that a fiver will buy you two pieces of very average bread? Just visit a Pret in the city centre.
The capital’s clubbing scene also provides a shock for students accustomed to Northern nightlife. Bars and clubs up North pride themselves on outrageous deals, with many selling doubles for under £2. With drinks often treble this price in London, the prospect of getting drunk there is a sobering one, literally.
Transport, too, is a shock to the system. The notion of night buses or unaffordable black cabs is an inconvenient one for poor young students used to stumbling home from clubs near campus. Yet, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Londoners’ First World problems.
So, what are the main shocks Londoners are confronted with when returning from universities up North?