After I had spent my first year at university living the high life in Leeds, my knowledge of the city centre was quite extensive (and largely based on the landmark locations of the night clubs and bars I had got to know so well). However, many of the areas surrounding Leeds city centre remained a mystery as I hadn’t ventured very far into the unknown. And I wasn’t the only one. A girl in a Geography lecture once asked me where I was from. “York” I replied, to which she said “Oh I’ve heard of it but I’m not sure where it is... is it in the south?” Not wanting to make a bad impression I refrained from voicing my initial reaction of “Mate, you’ve come to uni in Yorkshire and you’re doing a geography degree, where do you think it is!?”

So I made it my goal in second year to visit new places, and a good way of doing this was through joining clubs and societies. Horse Riding club and Conservation Volunteers took me to beautiful and tranquil places away from the hustle of the city. The rolling hills, the wildlife and the fresh air of suburbs such as Ilkley and Otley were a reminder of what life outside a concrete jungle is like. I spent more time in Headingley, a suburb I had only really staggered through on Otley Run pub crawls, and discovered a new shopping haven with plenty of unique shops and cafes. I also dragged my friends to the more traditional pubs in the city centre and found the places that don’t attract hordes of students are much more friendly and relaxed, with more unique decor about them.

So whether you’re travelling 20 or 200 miles from home, make the most of your time at university and experience this new part of the country in all its glory. Discovering the hidden gems in the suburbs as well as the city centre provides a change of scenery, you won’t get bored of the same places and you’ll become a more well-rounded person for it. It’s far more exciting to show your friends from home the quirky places exclusive to your university town/city rather than the same old bars and nightclubs they will have been to a hundred times elsewhere. Take some time out from the usual scene and explore the places off the beaten track – you won’t be disappointed.