Things Glasgow Freshers should never do

Moving into a new environment is not easy. Whether you grew up down the street in Glasgow or just landed from across the globe, the hustle and the bustle of university life can sometimes get the better of you.

But don’t panic, your first year is entirely designed for you to navigate that new chaotic lifestyle. Imagine the blur of meeting people you won’t remember in a month, signing up for societies you’ll never attend, and drinking the GUU bar dry before the academic deep dive starts. 

You get the picture. So instead of letting you brave the storm without a map, The Tab compiled the perfect guide of the things freshers should never do:

Don’t write off your flatmates

Uni wouldn’t be uni without university accommodation right? And I know the idea of living with total strangers sounds pretty scary. But guess what: They are in the same situation as you.

So unless you discovered a week old moldy five-course meal in your sink (RUN!), don’t lock yourself in your room. Come out, say hello, get to know one another. 

Of course you don’t have to become bestfriends, but actually making an effort to get along with your flatmates can really make a difference. And, before you know it, you’ll find the first people you can attend events with – or go mechanical bull riding at Maggie’s on the first night out… (Now who said that in the back?)

Don’t overlook the society taster sessions 

Now that you’ve managed to drag your flatmates out of their rooms, it’s time for your first flat mission: Attending the taster sessions.

Think of any hobby that you have or a sport that you’d like to play. There is definately a society for you. From the A Capella Society to the Bad Movie Society, there is a club for absolutely everyone. 

Take it from me: I signed up for the GUWS (Glasgow University Walking Society) during my first week. And while most students were recovering from the infamous Freshers’ Week hangover, I spent my weekend shivering on top of Beinn Ime fighting the Scottish rain. But hey, it definitely builds character (And I loved every second of it).

Don’t assume Glasgow’s transport runs 24/7 

via Unsplash

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Let me hold your hand when I tell you this: do not trust public transport here. 

You might think that a big city like Glasgow would have buses and a subway that run all night. Believe me… it doesn’t. Night buses are a myth and don’t even count on the subway past 11:30pm (6:15pm on Sundays).

You don’t want to end up trekking up University Avenue at 3am in the pouring rain after a heavy night out. Always check the running time before you go out.

Don’t pressure yourself into attending every event

Here’s the problem, many people misinterpret Freshers’ Week as needing to be consistently booked up with events. But the hard truth is, you won’t have either the time or the energy for all of that.

Don’t fall into the ticket trap! You don’t have to buy expensive party wristbands to have a “fun” Freshers’ Week. Just enjoy the moment and see where it leads you. The best nights are somewhat always the most chaotically unplanned ones.

Next thing you know, you’ll be ditching a £15 club ticket to sit and gossip in the kitchen of people you met two days ago (or visit cows at the Pollok Country Park).

And you know what? Those are the moments you actually remember the most 😉

Coming from someone in their last year of study, don’t put too much pressure on yourself and enjoy the moment!

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