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Monthly Archives

September 2021
  • Tips to make going back to college easier

    All the tips that will make your return to the classroom not so hard and that will allow you to enjoy the academic routine

     

    We know that it is sometimes difficult to return to the routine, especially after enjoying a well-deserved vacation, even in September. Now that the academic year is here and with it the early rises, traffic jams, rushing and everything that goes back to university have also returned, especially if you are new to Barcelona, ​​surely you already suffer from post-vacation syndrome and anxiety that you are still a rookie in the Catalan capital.

    But do not worry, since we confirm that it is not serious, you simply lack a little energy and concentration that once you pick up the rhythm again, then you will be able to perform at your best again.

    And who are the most affected? In general, this syndrome usually affects young people who enjoy a long period of vacation; those who do not like to study very much and those who go directly to their academic duties without having previously done an adaptation process to the big city.

    As we have said before, overcoming it is easy, and for this, today we share five tips that will make your return to the academic routine much more bearable. Welcome once again to our blog with the best tips for university residents in Barcelona!

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    1. Enjoy a period of adaptation in Barcelona

    Most important of all, don’t go back to your college routine the day after your vacation ends. For that reason, take about two days to resume your academic habits, as well as your schedule, your diet, your exercise routines, among others. In addition, it is essential that you sleep more hours, since after the holidays we must also recover and regulate the level of activity, from less to more and without abusing our body.

    2. Forget about negative thinking

    It is time you did not complain so much about the return to the routine, as this will only make everything worse. Remember that you are living in the best city in Spain and in one of the best in the world. So on vacation you were fine, but what about the rest of the year?

    Good things also happen and you will do things that you will have just as much fun at. Even more so in Barcelona, ​​which is a city in which you can feel like on vacation throughout the year, because it has many activities and events that will make you feel 100% happy. So, do activities that keep your mind and body busy and do things that you enjoy while you study.

    3. Meet new friends

    Returning to the routine causes us to make hasty decisions. You will miss your friends, family, partners, pets, and your culture. Our advice is that you do not do anything that you may later regret and always be positive. So if you have to make a decision, wait to do so and meet new local friends or foreign students like you.

    Give yourself a few days in the city and form your social circle that will be the best way to experience Barcelona to the fullest.

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    4. Make leisure plans

    We already said that Barcelona is full of things to do. For example, going to the beach or the swimming pool, going to the mountains, going for a walk or a bike ride, meeting for dinner, going to the cinema, the theater or concerts.

    Organizing plans with your new friends will improve your mood, while helping you return to the routine with more energy and predisposition.

    5. Face the return with enthusiasm

    Think how lucky you are to live in Barcelona. So, it is time for you to set yourself new challenges, both in your life and in college, but above all try to make them short-term, which will make you excited every day.

    Put all your desire in this new course! Life is beautiful and Barcelona is a perfect place to live a unique experience.

    Now that you know how to positively face the return to the academic routine. Remember that at The Lofttown we want to have you in our university residence so that you can live a unique and unforgettable experience, while you study in Barcelona so that you become one of our #TheLoftowners.

    If you want to know more about us, we also invite you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram so that you are always up to date with the latest promotions and news in our university residence.

    Have a nice return to the routine!

     

     

  • How enjoy Barcelona in September

    We present you all the events you have to know to enjoy to the max Barcelona in September

     

    With the arrival of September, Barcelona is transformed into a city full of events, colors and joy that is experienced in every corner of the city. And it is that during this month the festivities of the neighborhoods, the popular festivals and among other events that we are sure you will love will continue.

    Also, don’t forget that La Mercé is coming, the official festival of Barcelona where you can get to know in depth everything that our fantastic city has to offer. Next, take note of all the art, film, theater, music events, among others, that we are going to tell you about and that you certainly cannot miss.

    Welcome once again to our blog with the best tips for university residents in Barcelona!

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    Welcome to Mercé 2021

    As every year, the Barcelona’s City Hall has presented the poster of La Mercè, the famous proclamation and the respective program of the festivities of La Mercè 2021. On this occasion, the Mayor Ada Colau has expressed the satisfaction of being able to maintain this “celebration full of culture, life, the city and the authenticity of the neighborhoods “, despite the difficulties of the circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

    La Mercè is full of artistic and popular events throughout the city, which will fill the days of September with joy, after a year in which we return little by little to the normality of before. In this link you can find all the information about La Mercè 2021.

     

    The week of the book in Catalan 2021

    The book in Catalan has its official day in Barcelona. This year is the 39th time that for a whole week there will be dozens of stops full of new books and all in Catalan, along with other activities, itineraries, talks and exhibitions on literature in Catalan over time.

    One more year La Setmana del Llibre en Català demonstrates this, which is why it has become one of the most important cultural events in Barcelona and a meeting point for the relationship between booksellers, publishers and readers, who can find news, but also books classics. It should be noted that the Setmana is full of activities, talks, conferences, itineraries, recitals, presentations that will not leave you indifferent. All this to stimulate literature in Catalan and, above all, to keep it alive among local people and also among foreigners who learn the Catalan language and culture. If you want to know more, find out in this link.

    Poblenou Festival 2021

    If there is a neighborhood that mixes creativity, innovation and joy, it is undoubtedly Pobleou. So do not be surprised that the Poblenou Festival is one of the best in Barcelona, ​​since it normally has 650 activities, and although with the current situation there are only 165, do not doubt that there are 165 fantastic opportunities to start back to work in the middle of September with guaranteed fun. Do not miss it!

    Horta Festival

    A neighborhood full of nature also deserves its festivity. For this reason, you have to know everything that the Fiesta Mayor de Horta offers you, full of activities for all audiences. However, due to current restrictions, the concerts on the 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th and 18th have established an aid voucher of € 2 upon reservation of entry.

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    Barcelona Second-hand Book Festival

    For lovers of literature, the Book Festival is the perfect fair. Even more so if it is a party that has been offering university literature to the city for more than 70 years.

    And it is also that at the Fair you can not only find the best books at any price, from the highest to the lowest, but also all kinds of copies, from bibliographic jewels that you will not be able to imagine to comics, illustrated and pocket books.

    Ravalada Drag Tour

    With the restrictions we know that we cannot gather many people in one place. For that reason the Ravalada Drag Tour has decided to gather few people in many places. Its creator, Olivier Grau, is one of the promoters of the Ravalada party, which arises as a revelation and also as a necessity in order to support the collective of Drag artists, DJS and bars in a difficult situation after the pandemic.

    Here you can enjoy an exclusive tour and circulate through 5 bars, where there are shows by 5 DJs and 5 different Drag artists that will entertain you to the fullest. For this fifth Barcelona edition, the ‘Gaixample Edition’ will dance in the bars of the Eixample, and most importantly, the profits will go to the participating artists and bars.

    Barcelona Gallery Weekend 2021

    For lovers of museums and art galleries, the time has come to enter the galleries of the city without fear. That is why you cannot miss the international calendar of events in the art world, at the Barcelona Gallery Weekend organized by the Art Barcelona association, which returns with its 7th edition from September 15 to 19.

    Are you ready to enjoy these events? Now that you know the best plans to enjoy Barcelona in September, we invite you to learn more about everything we offer you by visiting our website.

    And this year the event will surpass its previous editions and will have the participation of a record number of 33 participating galleries: 27 from Barcelona and 6 from outside the city

    And also remember that at The Lofttown we want to have you in our university residence so that you become one of our #TheLoftowners and live a unique experience that you will never forget while studying in Barcelona.

    If you want to know more about us, we also invite you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram so that you are always up to date with the latest promotions and news in our university residence.

    Enjoy together September in Barcelona!

     

  • The best academic tools for you to start the next university year well

    Organizing the next university course is easier than you imagine with the tools that we present to you today and that you cannot miss

    When September arrives, it is also time to return to the university classrooms. And after a long summer, where we have completely recharged our energies, it is important that you stay up to date with the latest technological tools, so that the next academic year you can perform at your best and with total comfort.

    That is why today, at The Lofttown we want to make it easier for you to return to the routine and we bring you a complete post so you can discover which are the most TOP academic tools among today’s young students when it comes to organizing their university homework.

    Experience shows us every year that the beginning of a new season of university classes also brings with it new challenges, especially among young foreigners who want to live the experience of studying in Barcelona to the fullest.

    Likewise, the need to perfectly organize the next academic year so that everything runs smoothly and correctly. Keep in mind that you will not only have to plan your move, fully adapt to the city and its customs.

    On the other hand, you will also have to be prepared for new subjects, new academic schedules, new classmates and new teachers, in addition to a series of responsibilities that you will learn as the weeks progress.

    Consequently, we advise you to organize your routine properly so that it does not become a complicated task, especially at the beginning. So, below we present the best academic tools that you can use from your computer or mobile so that you have everything under control from the beginning of the course. Take note!

    Getpocket

    It works as a space to save all the information you find on the network and then use it in the classroom or when doing work. It is compatible with several formats and supports transferring files from any browser or social network, it is available for iOS and Android and allows you to access the information saved without an internet connection.

     

    Evernote

    It is an App available for iOS and Android that works as a virtual agenda where you can save important dates according to activities and attach documents or web pages that have useful content to develop the topic.

    This application works for students of any level and teachers because it allows you to include images in each entry and even record audios to remember a key issue.

     

    Squid

    It allows you to take notes from your cell phone or tablet, using a digital pen or your finger, fill out forms and sign documents. You can also organize them in notebooks and even project them.

     

    MyHomework

    It has a very simple and predictive interface, it is used in an agile way from any Smartphone and it carries out a graphic organization of each class. With this App you can create a school calendar and assign reminders so as not to forget any assignment, it is available for iOS and Android.

     

    Notas U

    This App is perfect for organizing the academic year of university students, it has sections to record schedules, tasks, due dates and contact of your professors. One of the most interesting features is that it allows you to record the qualifications you obtain in each evaluation and the same App will calculate the results and give you an average of your qualifications.

     

    Coursera

    This educational platform allows you to take free online courses in a wide variety of topics from the comfort of your cell phone or tablet.

     

    Paper

    It makes it easy to make sketches, drawings or take notes. To take advantage it is advisable to buy the digital pen.

     

    Feedly

    This RSS application allows you to save your favorite press media, magazines and blogs to keep you constantly updated with the latest news and content of interest.

     

    Audible

    Lets you listen to audiobooks anytime, anywhere.

    TED

    Conferences around the world, most of them with Spanish subtitles.

    You can find a free version for Android and there is another that you can pay for and has no advertising.

    Education programs that use digital platforms are more and more frequent, which makes it necessary to organize academic courses with interactive and flexible tools.

    Noteshelf

    With this app you can also annotate, draw or sketch.

     

    Agenda

    It is an App designed as a large dynamic calendar where you can record your weekly schedule, teacher contact, homework, exams and define study hours.

    Each entry allows you to organize the academic year, include details that help you plan activities related to the class and even attach notes. This App is only available for Android and it is totally free.

    Khan Academy

    This renowned platform offers thousands of tutorial videos on a wide variety of subjects and topics.

    We have reviewed the most useful Apps to manage activities and tasks from home, it only remains for you to choose the most appropriate one according to your needs.

    Are you already wanting to start the new course? We are too and looking forward to seeing you in Barcelona! For this reason, we hope that this post has helped you to prepare yourself mentally and to face the next course that is about to start in the best way.

    And also remember that at The Lofttown we want to have you in our university residence so that you become one of our #TheLoftowners and live a unique experience that you will never forget while studying in Barcelona.

    If you want to know more about us, we also invite you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram so that you are always up to date with the latest promotions and news in our university residence.

    See you soon in Barcelona!

     

  • IMPORTANT TIPS BEFORE MOVING TO BARCELONA TO STUDY

    Everything you need to know before moving to Barcelona for an academic season at The Lofttown, your university residence

    Barcelona is a very important university destination in Europe, both for Erasmus students and for young people from the rest of Spain. And it is not only a destination for undergraduate students, but also for those who want to do a specialization, such as postgraduates or a master’s degree.

    Therefore, in the Catalan capital there is an international and dynamic atmosphere at all times thanks to its cosmopolitan character, so we assure you that you must choose it if you plan to study abroad.

    That’s why today, in The Lofttown we bring you a detailed post to discover some curiosities and suggest you should know before moving to Barcelona. We know that studying in Barcelona is fashionable because the city is always amazing, so if you have already decided to come here to study for a while, then pay attention to this post with the most necessary tips you should know.

    What are the TOP universities in Barcelona?

    Barcelona is not only the capital of art, fashion, bohemia and technology, but also the home of many universities, specialized centres and big business schools in Spain and Europe. Therefore, when we talk about Catalan universities, the referents are the University of Barcelona (UB), the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the Polytechnic of Catalonia (UPC) and the Pompeu Fabra (UPF).

    On the other hand, there are also business schools with international prestige such as IESE Business School, considered the best in the world, or ESADE.
    However, these are just a few of the well-known centres, as in Barcelona you will find many more centres specialising in all the humanities and technological subjects depending on what you want to study.

    If you want to know more about the most prestigious universities in Barcelona, take a look at our post about the Catalan universities you can’t miss.

    Learn Catalan to study in Barcelona

    You should know that the official language in Barcelona is Catalan. Although local people almost always address foreigners in Spanish, we remind you that it is important to familiarize yourself with the Catalan language, because it will make life easier in many ways. In this sense, depending on the degree you are going to study and the subject you have chosen, you may be asked to use Catalan as an indispensable requirement.

    Our suggest is to take it as a great opportunity to learn a new language, because if you know Spanish it is very easy to understand. In fact, the majority of foreign students, regardless of the country they come from, take Catalan as a challenge and as something positive of the possibility of learning two languages at the same time during their stay in Barcelona

    But don’t worry, we tell you that most classes always teach in Spanish and also in English.

    Choose a house in Barcelona

    Your best option to live in Barcelona is for sure our university residence located in the heart of the city. Unlike shared flats, where you don’t have independence, individual flats that will be very epensive, university residences like ours are a splendid option to live in a quieter way and, Also, take advantage of free time to enjoy the city to the fullest.

    We guarantee you that it is a best solution to live, without taking time so you can dedicate it to your learning or to know Barcelona in the specific way as if you’re local of a lifetime

    Mobility in Barcelona

    We tell you that the public transport network in Barcelona is perhaps one of the best in Europe. Therefore, it will be very easy to move around the city and the metropolitan area without any problem.

    In addition to the conventional public transport such as the metro, tram and bus, you can also use the Bicing service, undoubtedly a sustainable way to move around the city and also play sports.

    Also, if you have your own bike you can also move without a problem thanks that Barcelona has thousands of lanes that connect practically all of Barcelona, a good option to go by own ritm and discover every neighborhood and every atmosphere of the city.

    Lunch time in Barcelona

    Barcelona has a great culinary offer for all tastes and budgets. When you are a student, the most economical options are those that get your attention, such as eating in our student residence thanks to our food service that will fill your appetite.

    However, if you are one of those who prefer to eat out and want to enjoy a lunch with friends, then we encourage you to visit our post about the best restaurants in Barcelona for students.

    So, if you are going to eat out we recommend you as rule number 1: don’t go especially the tourist areas to eat, or if you do not want to scare in a few days with hight prices or very good quality food. And in Barcelona there are many good places where you can enjoy the best food for cheap, but there is to know how to find them, something you only know living in Barcelona as a local citizen.

    We advise you not only to search on the internet, but also to find friends from Barcelona who can give you the best recommendations for all pockets.

    Are you ready to move to Barcelona?

    We hope that this post has served you to prepare mentally for everything that awaits you in our wonderful city.
    And also remember that at The Lofttown we want to count on you in our university residence to live a unique and unforgettable experience, while you study in Barcelona so that you become one of our #TheLoftowners.
    If you want to know more about us we also invite you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram so that you are always update with the latest promotions and news in our university residence.

    Have a great September!