Make sure your phone supports NFC

Ever heard of NFC? Well, I hadn't until it turned my Tesco shopping into an unexpected adventure. NFC stands for ‘Near Field Communication’, a fancy term that turns your phone with your bank card saved into it as a magic wand for contactless payments. I decided to venture to Tesco for my weekly grocery haul. Roaming the store with a trolley for an hour, scrutinising every item's price, calculating its worth, and video calling my mom for essential recommendations.

Finally, at the checkout, a Tesco employee asked if I had a card. No physical card, but I proudly declared my reliance on an online bank, Revolut. Confidently approaching the self-checkout, I scanned my items, with the Tesco employee frequently coming to my aid. The moment of truth arrived – tapping my phone. With all eyes on me, my attempt to pay failed. The Tesco employee suggested adding my Revolut card to Google Pay for Android users, so I did so. Excited about this tech-savvy move, I tapped my Google Pay card, waiting for the approving beep. Silence continued.

Embarrassed, I considered paying with cash, only to realise my wallet had chosen to stay home. A walk of shame ensued, leaving behind a cart full of groceries. The next day, I repeated the grocery routine, but this time with cash – since my phone lacked NFC.

So, for those planning to come to Belfast, make sure your phone supports NFC. Simply google 'how to check if your [Insert phone name and variant] is NFC-enabled' for steps. If you're lucky, you'll enjoy the convenience of contactless payments, unlike me, still reliant on a physical card.

Buy a laptop!

But my story doesn’t end here. So, listen up, future Queen's students – don't be like me; bring a laptop or buy one ASAP upon arrival. While Queen’s provides computer access in places like BT1, BT2, the library, and various other places (thankfully), here's a tale of my laptop-less adventure you won't want to replicate.

^{The McClay Library has over 600 PCs}

For the first three months, I hustled to the library. Productivity soared, assignments were typed with enthusiasm, and all was well until my stomach roared over the library's silence. Note to self: a growling stomach means a library exit for food. I tried packing fruits, but mental energy apparently demands more snacks. Survival tactic: I leaned on the generosity of my housemates by borrowing their laptops.

Fortunately, I found the ones who trusted me with their precious devices. A big shout-out to them for letting me use their laptops, even though my tabs were all over the place, numerous windows open where I frequently and inconveniently closed some of their tabs (I assume important) with a rather unpleasant expression, as if I were the owner of the laptop and they were the ones borrowing it from me, rather than the other way around.

^{Laptops allow you to work wherever you want}

Feeling tired of going in circles and yearning to work from the comfort of my bed, I finally decided to buy a laptop. So, off I went to Currys. Little did I know, I was about to face a surprising twist. I returned home not with the anticipated laptop but with a juicer blender. Yes, a juicer blender excited me more than a laptop! It made me wonder if I was turning into the kind of adult I used to poke fun at. Imagine this: I set out to type essays but ended up becoming a pro at making smoothies instead. Quite funny, isn't it? Life's unexpected turns!

A UK adaptor is key

Moreover, here's a little nugget of wisdom for you – if you're heading to the UK, watching countless YouTube videos about packing essentials is probably on your to-do list. Well, despite my diligent pre-departure video binge a month before coming here, I managed to forget a crucial item: a UK adaptor. Yeah, the thing that transforms your plugs into something the UK sockets actually understand. As an international student, trust me, it's not just an accessory – it's a survival tool.

^{A UK adaptor is a survival tool!}

Fortunately, my housemate arrived with an additional adaptor from India to save the day. I agreed to borrow it for a day, and charge all my gadgets including my phone, power bank, etc to last until I buy one of my own, soon. But that day hasn't come in the last six months. (Oops, guilty). Interestingly, my housemate thankfully permitted me to keep it until his original adaptor declares it needs a holiday.

However, not everyone may be fortunate to have such generous housemates. So, here's a reasonable suggestion: either carry these necessities from your own country or look at internet choices like Amazon. You may also visit local retail centres such as Tesco. After all, no one wants to be an international student frantically hunting for an adaptor at the last minute, right?

Finally, my experience as an international student is not without its ups and downs, but I hope that my narratives will help you avoid some of the pitfalls during your journey at Queen's. So, to all the aspiring Queen's students: welcome the unexpected, learn from mistakes, and enjoy this ride as it unfolds. May every moment at Queen's be full of laughter, progress, and wonderful experiences.

Find out more

Pakistan: Admissions Guide

Student blogs: Before you arrive

What to pack for university

Rimsha Ali Siddiqui MSc Marketing | Postgraduate Student | Pakistan Greetings from Pakistan! Delighted to be a part of Queen's, where I'm navigating the exciting realm of marketing—a field that truly captivates me. I am passionate about blending creativity with strategy, I'm here to make a mark and infuse the essence of marketing into every aspect of my student journey. Let's connect and explore the dynamic world of marketing together!