Here’s everything you need on your semester two bucket list at University of Glasgow

The start of the second semester tends to be far less enjoyable than the first. Instead of living it up at Freshers’ events, you are thrust immediately back into lectures. Time spent in sunny beer gardens is replaced by freezing 4pm walks back from uni in the pitch black, the days blur into one eternal slump. However, if you’re needing a bit of help filling the days, here are some ideas to keep you busy while the winter months fly by:

1. Watch the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament

Take a break from your study schedule (which I am sure you are following) and watch six European countries compete against each other for rugby glory.

I would recommend heading to Beer Bar for the home nation games, though be warned you can hardly hear yourself think let alone your friends beside you. Cheering is encouraged, go along to support your home country or boo a certain other.

If Beer Bar is too busy, watch the game in Coopers at the end of Bank Street or Old Schoolhouse in Woodlands, both are a far more relaxing viewing experience yet still atmospheric.

2. Rent an OVO bike

When the storm passes and the nights begin to grow longer, why not rent an OVO bike and cycle along the Clyde? Students at Glasgow Uni are able to apply for a free annual membership granting unlimited 60 minute rentals on Standard Bikes. For students at Strathclyde they are eligible for the same membership at the cost of £20 according to the OVO website.

3. Take a day trip

A sunny beach in Orkney

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Glasgow has great bus and train links to other areas of Scotland, why not spend take a day to travel further afield. Hop on a direct bus to St Andrews to explore the birthplace of Golf, get the bus to Edinburgh to discover the Old Town or even get the train to Loch Leven for a relaxing visit. Anyone student living in Scotland can apply for a Young Scot Card, offering free bus travel for Under 22s all across Scotland.

Take some time to visit the beauty outside of Glasgow that Scotland is famous for! (I wouldn’t recommend Aberdeen though). The great thing about living in Glasgow means you are only a short journey away from the west Coast, pick a sunny day and travel to watch the sun set over the sea.

4. Watch a film at the Glasgow Film Festival

The Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) running from 28th Feb to 10th March is one of the leading film festivals in the UK, showcasing talented indie filmmakers from around Scotland, the UK and the world. It has attracted an audience of over 40,000 since 2015, a must see for film lovers. The past festivals have launched some of the best new films to the UK Market, with a list of the films shown this year due to be released next month.

I would also recommend watching a film at the Glasgow Film Theatre. Cinema is back! The next few months are packed with blockbuster movies hitting the cinemas, but the GFT also regularly plays indie and late-night cult films in their retro cinema. An unmissable Glasgow experience.

5. Have tea in one of Glasgow’s Tearooms

Since the “tea movement” in the early 1900’s, Glasgow has a thriving tearoom industry. Why not complete some uni work surrounded by the relaxing environment of one of Glasgow’s historical tearooms such as The Willow Tearoom in the City Centre, designed by famous Glaswegian artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Or visit a newer tearoom in the West End, such as the Hidden Lane Tearoom, taking time to explore the beauty of the Hidden Lane in Finnieston at the same time.

6. Attend a gig at the Barrowlands

This historic music venue was built in 1934 and has since become an iconic music venue, hosting some of the biggest names in the music industry such as Metallica, The Smiths and David Bowie. Over the next few months there are many great gigs worth attending, from new homegrown artists to global names. There are loads of upcoming gigs to explore here.

7. Join a mood-boosting society

January and February are well known to be some of the least joyful months of the year. In Scotland, the sun begins to set mid-afternoon and the weather tends to be freezing cold, all in all contributing to a general feeling of sadness. At the University of Glasgow however there are a couple of societies that boost moral and togetherness during this time, the GU Walking Society (GUWS) and the Outdoor Swimming Society (Polar Bear Club).

Both walking and outdoor swimming have been proven to increase wellbeing and boost mental health, so why not try something new this semester and check these societies out?

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