Everything you learn after three years at Cardiff University

Aside from your actual degree…

8 years ago | UPDATED 8 years ago

Although we’re the Russell Group University that everyone forgets about, Cardiff is a bloody glorious place to be. And while university is probably a fab three years for most, there is something pretty special about Cardiff.

Here’s what you learn after three years of living in Cardiff:

You will never love a room as much as your room in Talybont

Despite how shit you thought you had it; the showers which always set off the fire alarm, the narrow beds and noise 24/7 – nothing else will ever compare.

The Welsh are passionate about everything

Literally everything and it’s great.

Relying on eduroam will give you trust issues

Particularly in halls, it’s a nightmare.

You shouldn’t judge a man who wears flip flops and shorts

Even if they look like they are ready to hit the beach in November, they aren’t all dickheads.

You will form an irrevocable love for VKs

They are a staple for a night at the SU and you’ll perfect the art of carrying six in one hand.

Family Fish Bar is life

And resisting it is virtually impossible, living in Cathays certainly tests your will power (or not).

#welovefamilyfishbar

Big cities are overrated

Living in a capital city which is small and compact is so much better than a huge city and 40 minute commute. Cardiff is the dream.

This is what the Millennium Stadium looks like when it’s not raining.

Seagulls are worse than pigeons

Anyone who has lived in Cathays will know the struggle.

Don’t mock the mature students

Yes they ask a million questions in lectures but come third year you’ll wish you’d done the same.

Never wear heels to Live Lounge

Unless you want to ruin them on the club’s notoriously sticky floors. But alas, it can’t be helped when all nights out end up here.

Don’t buy course textbooks before the course has started

Three weeks in you’ll realise they’re useless and you could have saved yourself the £60 for VKs in Flux.

The word ‘YOLO’ ruined The Lash

There was a time (back in 2013) when the phrase YOLO was used ironically and was kinda cool but then the SU made the decision to replace ‘The Lash’ and the phrase was ruined forever #longlivethelash

Game days are for drinking

Game days in the Welsh capital means that you should either be drunk in a pub or hiding at home because you’re English.

Never pull at the lash

Its likely that the lucky lad or lass you pull will be a regular and you’ll end up seeing them every Wednesday night for the rest of the year.

Leave early to walk to lectures on bin day

Walking through Cathays on a Wednesday is like playing a game of temple run

You will never love but hate a club more than Glam

It’s a dive but its actually kinda great.

You’ll disover the magical combination that is chips and curry sauce

The Welsh chip game is on point.

The Woodville is the best pub

Sitting just on the edge of Cathays, beckoning you to enjoy a cold pint and a burger after a long day. The woody is a safe haven.

The Welsh can drink… A lot

The Welsh seem to have this magical power of being able to drink everyone else under the table and yet not be on the floor 10 minutes later. It’s truly impressive and something one can only aspire to.

Miskin street is where it’s at

If you live there you’ll know the number of mad house parties and arrests that happen every week.

The ASSL does not have enough plugs

And it gets rammed in exam season, so whoever bring the extension cable is a god amongst men.

Umbrellas are a must

However, the myth of always carrying an umbrella is proved false by regular gale force winds. If you want to stay dry, wear a bin bag.

Varsity is one of the best days

Whether its in Cardiff or Swansea, the sun always shines and the day is a fabulous drunken blur.

Cathays is well and truely a loveable shit hole

Your mates from home won’t understand your love for place, after all, it is a dive. But they haven’t spent two years roaming its streets, they just don’t get it and that’s okay.

Lidl is THE one

But the queue at 6pm? Not so much.

Rugby boys really aren’t that bad

They get A LOT of stick, but actually they’re kinda alright.

Cardiff you are THE dream, thanks for all the memories, we love you xx

Laura Barclay