Slang/Culture Shock

So I have started to get the hang of things here in Leeds. I have met more people, started to figure out the bus system and tried to work through the academic system. However, there is still quite a bit to get used to. First of all there is the slang. I mentioned some of these things in my past post, but as I continue to speak with the English, I notice more and more that I have a hard time understanding their accent as well as their slang. Such as "cheers" to either say "goodbye" or "thanks". Another word I found interesting was the use of the word "love". As I was trying to figure out which bus I needed and where it went, the men I asked would say "oh you need to be other at that stop love" or "this is your stop love". It was fairly funny and something that I'm sure only sounds good with a British accent. You know if an American man said that we would think he was being creepy. Also, I've been encouraged by the English to start using these words, but I find whenever I say words particular to England I want to say them in a British accent and then I just feel like a phony or I smile/laugh wondering if anyone noticed what I just said.

As for culture shock, right now I'm just trying to get used to what people wear, what college kids do to have fun and how to work through the academic system. More and more I am confused by the outfits of people here in England. On friday night me and a group of exchange/Leeds students went out to a few pubs/clubs and we kept seeing women dressed in very short, skimpy dresses with heels and NO COAT! And its probably 2 degrees Celsius (30 degrees Fahrenheit) and windy! And guys are wearing jeans and t-shirts. I mean they look nice and all, but really! I was freezing and I had on a long sleeve shirt and a winter coat. Also, as for what people do here....well, they drink. And I mean this in all seriousness. Sure, they have movie theaters and sports facilities but they all drink. A few girls and I were looking for a low key night to go to a coffee shop and chill, but all we could find were pubs and bars. I'm wondering how this will work out, especially on my pocket. I've asked some Leeds students and a few mention they may have a beer rather than a meal...but I'm not so sure if I can do that.

Another thing I'll mention is the academics. I have already found its much more independent and I haven't even begun classes yet! Many of the classes don't have any assignments throughout the term, but only have the final exam which is worth 100% of your grade. So your expected to just keep

(this is my "timetable" aka schedule as of right now)

up with the readings throughout. I also just found out that first years can take any classes they want and do as well or poorly as they like because none of their classes that first year count towards their degree! Lastly, is scheduling. Each week you have to look up your schedule because each week it may be different. You may have a lecture one week, a "tutorial" another and maybe nothing for a class the next week. Its very hard for me to figure out which classes will work with my current classes because I can't decide if the schedules clash or not. And if they do, there's no way of really knowing until you've been accepted into the course and then you get an e-mail saying you have a "timetable conflict". I could probably go on a lot more about this little dilemma, but I think you get the gist.

Right now, I'm headed to bed, but I'll be back to fill you all in on my day trip to York and hopefully to have some pictures (because I have yet to really take any!...sorry!). Cheers!