A Little Bit About Sheffield...
Sheffield has been a popular choice with students for years, and with everything the university, Sheffield Student's Union, and the city centre offers, it's not hard to see why. It is a bustling, vibrant, cosmopolitan city, but still holds on to the friendliness and community feel that makes it unique. Students and locals come and live alongside each other so well that by the end of their time at university, many students feel more like locals themselves than visitors.
Sheffield really does have everything you need. A short tram ride away and there is a whole host of designer and high street brands available to you, while the city centre is also home to many unique shops, with one offs that can only be found here. The aesthetic quality of the city means that shopping is always a pleasure, whether you choose to go to Meadowhall, or wander around Fargate and The Devonshire Quarter, or stroll along to Ecclesall Road to combine browsing in boutiques with food shopping.
Culture Therapy
Feel like taking a break from retail therapy, why not try some culture therapy? Sheffield plays host to an array of art galleries, museums and theatres to cater to your every cultural need. The Millennium Gallery is a showcase of arts, crafts and design, focusing on the special heritage of which Sheffield is so proud, such as the metalwork that made the city world famous. If you're feeling a little bit thespian, Sheffield Theatres have much to offer for the thespian lovers among you, with a mixture of touring shows and those unique to Sheffield.
Try Something Different
If you have the urge to get out of the city and try something different, the Peak District is a few miles from the city centre, and offers breathtaking scenery. However, if you don't have time to completely leave the city, Sheffield has some beautiful parks and green spaces for you to enjoy. The Botanical Gardens are a beautiful haven in summer and winter, and offer spectacular views over the city. Weston Park and Crookes Valley Park are just a few minutes walk from Sheffield Student's Union, and are a great place to relax, catch up on some reading or have lunch with friends on a lunch break between lectures.
Time to Socialise
If you've had enough of chilling out however and are ready to socialise then look no further. Interval Café Bar in Sheffield Students' Union serves tasty food in smart surroundings, and is great whether you want Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. If you feel like venturing a little further, the City Centre and Ecclesall play host to an array of restaurants and cafes for you to sample at your leisure.
Whether you fancy a pint or some cocktails, Bar One and Interval in the Students' Union are ideal for their reasonably priced drinks with the added bonus of a fantastic student atmosphere. Head down West Street and Division Street for more pubs and bars, and remember to look out for any student offers they might have on particular nights.
Clubbing & Dancing
If it's more clubbing and dancing that is on your mind, Sheffield Students' Union puts on club nights of various themes throughout the week, catering to all music tastes. Also on offer are comedy nights and musical performances such as from a jazz orchestra or choir for those of you looking for something a bit different. West Street and the surrounding areas also offer a vast array of clubs for you to dance the night away in, so go and explore!
Sports Fanatic?
If in between all this socialising, studying and sleeping you have a desire to get sporty then Sheffield has plenty to offer sports fans and players alike. If it's football that really gets you going, then the two big local teams are Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, and both of the grounds are a short bus ride away which is useful as many of you will at some point sit exams there.
For fans of Rugby Union, Sheffield Tigers and the Sheffield Oaks are local teams for you to follow and maybe even play for; while Sheffield Eagles fly the flag for Rugby League in Sheffield. If ice is your thing, Sheffield Steelers Ice Hockey Team are very big in the city, and watching them play a match is something to behold. If you want to try taking it up, Ice Sheffield runs regular student nights and skating, curling and ice hockey lessons. Want to get involved in sport closer to university?
There is an array of sports clubs for you to join at a variety of levels and at different rates of competitiveness. The Varsity competition which is held twice a year between the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University is a must for all those who enjoy watching high intensity matches with the best atmosphere around.
Getting Around
If you're tired after all that sport and don't fancy tackling the hills that Sheffield is built on, many of the buses that run to the city centre and around the student areas offer special student fares, so remember your U-card. You cannot fail to notice the trams running around the city, and these are very handy to take you straight to Meadowhall, or the railway station should you want to head home or to visit friends.
In Short...
Whatever your interests and whatever your idea of a good time is, Sheffield can cater for all of your needs, ensuring that your years at university are some of the best of your life!
