Students at Plymouth Marjon University are spoilt for choice when it comes to living in Plymouth. For some it will be their first time moving away from home and orientating to a new area, so socialising plays a vital part in this process. Knowing the best places to visit can definitely help in this process. I’m absolutely sure that you’ll love living here as much as I do.

For a student a good place to start is in Plymouth city centre, there is a variety of eateries, shops, pubs, walks and sights to be enjoyed. Drake Circus is our main shopping centre which includes, Apple, Jack Wills, Primark, Pandora, Fat Face, Topshop/Topman, Next and so many more. They run student discount events during fresher’s week in September so be sure to grab yourself some bargains! Some of my favourite places to eat in the city centre are Knead Pizza and Hangry.

In terms of planning a night out, Marjon puts on free buses to and from Pryzm at various times which can be caught from the Student Union (SU). Wednesday tends to be student night here in Plymouth but Popworld Thursdays are where it’s at if you prefer classic pop hits.

At the heart of the city lies Plymouth Hoe, a harbour home to the iconic Smeatons Tower, Tinside Lido and views across the Sound. The Hoe hosts events throughout the year like MTV Crashes, Ocean City Sounds, Race For Life and the annual firework championships.

The Barbican is one of the city’s most bougie areas and holds the aquarium, gin distillery, restaurants, cafes, shops and bars. I would recommend checking out Bubbles Bar if you have a sweet tooth. During summer nights the Barbican nightlife is a popular choice and offers a more laidback feel to the main clubs in the city.

Within walking distance from the city centre is Royal William Yard which houses restaurants, cafes, bars and harbour views. They also host open-air cinema screenings during summer months and food markets throughout the year. Other areas worth exploring are; Barbican Leisure Park, Theatre Royal Plymouth and Plymouth Pavilions.

For those sport lovers or adrenaline junkies, The Hanger is a rock-climbing centre with colour coded routes for all abilities so there is no need to worry about it being your first experience. They also have equipment like rock-climbing shoes, chalk bags and chalk that is available to hire or buy. It is fun for all the family and harder work than you may expect! The centre also has a café that serves a variety of hot food like pizza and paninis as well as drinks like milkshakes and coffee/tea, which is perfect for a quick pit stop in-between sessions!

Adrenalin is an urban activity park that is located close to Marjon which has a wide range of activities such as Inflatables, trampoline parks and battle beams. For an alternative weekend evening plans, or for moments of abstinence, they also host a Saturday night disco which is just £10pp for a two-hour session or Adrenalin Xtreme which is every Friday night for the same price.

One of the best things about Plymouth is that it is situated in the heart of Devon and is close to surrounding areas like Cornwall, Bath, Bristol and Somerset. So, if one of your housemates is available to be designated driver, then the south west is yours to explore. Some particular places of interest are;

Wembury beach is a popular rock pooling destination and has plenty to offer in terms of picturesque scenery for your Instagrams. You can also walk along the cliff paths, which will take you to Bovisand and Newton Ferrers.

Hope Cove which is made up of two sandy beaches in South Devon. There is a mix of sand, rocky areas and red sandstone cliff walks to be enjoyed and explored. My personal tip for you is to watch the sunset outside of the Hope & Anchor pub, perhaps with a glass of your chosen drink.