“I got into Ciências. Now what?” A practical guide to living and making the most of the Faculty

Joining Ciências is much more than enrolling, choosing your curricular units, and starting classes. It is also about discovering a new space, meeting people, creating routines, and beginning to be part of a community. For many students, this will be their first experience on a university campus. For others, it marks the beginning of a new stage, with greater autonomy and responsibility. And for families, it is also a moment of adaptation: understanding where the Faculty is located, how the campus works, and what services and opportunities are available. That is why, once enrolment and registration are taken care of, it is time to get to know Ciências beyond the classrooms.

First: get to know the campus

The campus is much more than a collection of buildings. It is a small university town, with classrooms and laboratories, libraries and study spaces, gardens, services, places to eat, and areas for socialising. Before the first day of classes, it is worth exploring the campus and locating the main buildings and services. Knowing where to study, where to eat, where to deal with administrative matters, or simply where to find a quiet spot to take a break can make all the difference in the first few days.

How to get here and how to find your classrooms

Ciências is located in Campo Grande, at the heart of the Cidade Universitária. To get to know the campus better, nothing beats checking the map and identifying in advance the buildings where your classes will take place. New students should consult the information provided specifically for newcomers, where everything needed for this first stage is explained. Later on, as time goes by, the campus stops being just a collection of buildings and becomes a place students recognise as their own.

Where to eat?

Between classes, assignments, studying and
moments of socialising, there is always time for a break. Ciências has several cafés and dining spaces spread across the campus. On the Canteens and Bars page you can find the location of the different spaces and their respective menus. And there is more than one place to have lunch. There are spaces where you can grab a coffee
between classes, meet colleagues, or simply pause for a few minutes before returning to your studies.

Study spaces

The campus offers a variety of places to study, including the Library and other library hubs. There are also more informal spaces, such as the C7 Lounge, which can be
used for non‑curricular activities and as a dining area. One of the secrets of university life is discovering where and how you study best.

Healthy body, healthy mind

Entering higher education brings more freedom, but also greater responsibilities. Organising your time, balancing classes and study, resting, and maintaining a life beyond the Faculty is important. At Ciências, there are several opportunities to take care of both body and mind. In the Sports and Culture area, you can find activities and services aimed at the Ciências community. Meanwhile, at the Estádio Universitário de Lisboa there are various sports options available. And because well‑being is not limited to physical exercise, there is also the Ciências in Harmony project, designed to promote well‑being and a more balanced academic experience.

Science is also lived outside the classroom

Studying Sciences means being surrounded
by science every day. But the university experience does not have to be limited to classes and exams. The campus is also a cultural space. The Ciências Gallery and exhibition spaces host various initiatives and exhibitions that can be a great opportunity to discover new fields, new people, and new ways of looking at the world. Because a scientific education is not built solely on formulas, experiments or reports. It is also built on curiosity.

Joining the community

One of the best ways to get to know the Faculty is to get involved. At Ciências, there are student groups, associations and other structures where you can meet colleagues with similar interests, take part in activities and projects, and contribute to Faculty life. To do so, simply check the Cultural Groups and Associations to find out where you can engage in what you most enjoy doing. There is no need to wait until your second or third year. Academic life begins on the very first day.

After getting to know the Faculty, why not become part of the way Ciências presents itself to future students? The Ambassadors Club brings together students who help introduce the Faculty and share their experience with those who are still choosing their path. After all, no one is better placed than current students to explain what studying at Ciências is really like.

Welcome to Ciências.