The LSE alumni pose for a group picture at the British Club on Saturday. (Bhubaneswarananda Halder)

It was an evening of London memories, of stories of a hamburger and milkshake for a pound and a pence and classes with Mick Jagger. On July 28, the London School of Economics and Political Science Alumni hosted an informal chat between ex-students and youngsters heading for LSE this year at the British Club at the British deputy high commission.

“LSE has some unique programmes, which are tailor-made for its students. I’m so glad I could come from Guwahati to meet the LSE veterans and get an idea of what to expect there,” said Priyanka Barooah, who is going for an MSc in Management Information System and Innovation at LSE. “One advice that I am definitely going to heed is to make friends from all over the world while I am there,” added the 25-year-old.

Following a formal felicitation ceremony of some of the oldest alumni members, the evening gave way to informal interactions over tipple and nibble. “Mick Jagger was my classmate at LSE. He didn’t even last six months there, but was invited for the year-end graduation ceremony. Sir Sydney Caine had then told him: ‘I would like to introduce Mick Jagger to someone he has never met — the librarian!’” laughed cricket expert and author Kishore Bhimani, wife Rita, also an LSE alumnus, by his side.

When LSE professor Sumantra Bose spoke, the youngsters listened with rapt attention. “I am a Columbia University graduate and I’ve had my fair share of an international campus right in the middle of New York! But my seven years in New York against almost 13 years in London have made me realise that the diversity at LSE is unparalleled. I always go for drinks with my students after class. Sometimes, it’s just fun, but often it’s a continuation of what was discussed in class, and it helps,” said the professor of international and comparative politics.

“LSE is like a small international village, so my suggestion to students going there is to go all out and make friends, to make use of London. LSE is located right in the heart of the city, after all. The campus is always very alive and happening,” said Nayantara Palchoudhuri, the LSE alumni leader in eastern India.

what to do at lse

● After choosing the programme of study, pick your elective courses wisely. Best to ask seniors and former students of the department for advice.

● The year begins in early October and in the first three or four weeks, students can sit in on different lectures and even change courses. Attend as many classes as possible and take full advantage of this facility.

● Organise your finances and paperwork yourself to avoid any confusion later.

● Get to know your tutors and head of the department. Make sure you attend the orientation programme.

● Sign up for various committees and groups like theatre or dance. Attend workshops.

● LSE has many on-campus cafeterias and six bars and pubs. They are great places to meet people, make new friends and hold academic and other interactions.

● There will be many lectures and seminars by eminent academicians and personalities. Enrich yourself.

● LSE students are expected to be up-to-date about global issues. If there’s a development in any corner of the world, be it Palestine or Syria, the internal groups are immediately activated.

Are you an LSE alumnus? Share your memories of your alma mater at t2@abp.in