It’s not just bagpipes and Venoms: Here’s what I learnt about Edinburgh Uni the hard way

Edinburgh isn’t just a place of learning. It is where you have to navigate freedom, pressure, and figure out who you are and who you want to be. In the past two years, I have learned a lot about myself, including what I can handle and what I will not put up with.

Here are some of the things I learned the hard way, in hopes they make someone else feel a little less alone.

1. The first people you meet at uni aren’t always your people

Freshers’ Week is strange. Everyone is smiling, social, desperate not to eat dinner alone, and clinging to whoever is nearby. Sometimes that works, but a lot of the time, it does not.

It took me a while to realise that I was not obligated to maintain friendships that did not feel genuine. You are allowed to drift, grow, and find people who actually align with your values.

Also, you do not have to be friends with someone just because you are on the same course. If lectures are the only thing you have in common, it is okay for that connection to stay in the classroom.

2. Imposter syndrome is real

Walking into lectures where no one looks like you, talks like you, or comes from where you come from can seriously mess with your head.

At school, maybe you were “the smart one.” You got the grades, impressed the teachers, and built your self-worth around academic success. Then you get to uni and suddenly everyone around you is like that, or even better.

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It is easy to feel like you are falling behind, especially when you are surrounded by people who seem to have everything together.

Here is the truth I wish someone had told me. You did not get here by accident. You are not stupid. You are simply not the only high achiever anymore. This does not mean you are failing. It means you are being challenged, and that is where real growth happens.

3. Just because your dreams are different does not mean they are less important

Meg from Little Women was right.

University can often feel like a competition with grades, extracurriculars, internships, and who did the most impressive thing over summer. Students compare courses, career paths, and graduate salaries as if that somehow defines your worth.

But whether you are aiming for STEM, the arts, construction, politics, or something entirely your own, you should not have to defend your choices. Your future matters just as much as anyone else’s, even if it does not come with a six-figure salary or LinkedIn clout.

Different is not less. It is just different.

4. Talk to your student advisor

I love my student advisor. Many of my first year decisions were guided by her and I am extremely grateful.

Student advisors exist for a reason. They can help you apply for special circumstances, offer support when you are unsure what to do, and even refer you to free therapy if you are eligible. They are there for when things feel overwhelming, whether that is your workload, mental health, or the general chaos you are experiencing. Let them help.

Remember, you do not have to be falling apart to deserve support.

5. Have your own opinion

Feeling as though you have to change how you speak, what you wear, and even what you do in your spare time just to blend in will quickly wear you down.

At a place like Edinburgh University, it can feel like there is a script you are supposed to follow. But remember, you do not have to alter your personality to make friends, you will find your crowd eventually.

6. It is okay to say no

From group projects to social pressures, it can feel like you have to say yes to everything to make the most of uni. But protecting your boundaries is part of growing up.

You do not owe anyone your time, energy, or presence if it costs your peace.

It is important that you feel comfortable with the people you choose to spend time with. You should not feel obliged to do anything that does not feel right. Trust your gut.

“No” is a complete sentence. Use it when you need to.

7. Not everyone has your best interests at heart

Some people will take more than they give. Some will subtly compete with you, diminish your success, or only show up when it benefits them. Others might seem warm on the surface, but behind that there is judgement, gossip, or manipulation. It is a tough truth, but not everyone around you is rooting for you.

This is why it is essential to branch out and not stick with the same two people.

This does not mean you need to become guarded or cynical. It means learning to trust your gut. Pay attention to how you feel after spending time with someone.

Do you feel drained, small, or anxious? That is important information. You are allowed to walk away from relationships, friendships, or group dynamics that do not feel safe or supportive.

University is a place where you will meet lifelong friends. It is also a place where you will learn discernment. That lesson is just as important.

8. You will change and that is the point

You might change your mind about your degree, your values, your career goals, or even who you want to be surrounded by. You might become louder, quieter, more curious, more confident, or less certain. You might shed beliefs you once held tightly and pick up new ones that scare you because they feel right.

Sometimes change will feel exciting, like becoming more yourself than you have ever been. Other times it will feel like loss, especially when certain friendships or habits do not grow with you. You might even grieve the version of yourself that you once were.

The point of university is not just to get a degree. Let yourself change. That is part of the work.