Six things I wish I knew before starting University in Edinburgh

When I started university, I was nowhere near prepared for the experience I was about to have. All I knew was that this was my opportunity to reinvent myself and I was happy to leave my knowledge at that. Edinburgh is a gorgeous city and its universities are some of the best in the UK, but going to uni without knowing what to expect is daunting. If you’re a fresher or someone who’s looking for a little bit of direction, here is a list of things I wish I knew before starting university in Edinburgh:

1. Nights out are expensive 

Coming from London where the cheapest pint will set you back an arm, leg and next month’s paycheck, I expected my move to Edinburgh to do wonders for my spending habits. Instead, I have developed a crippling fear of checking my bank account the morning after a night out. Whilst it may not be London bad, drinking in Edinburgh is not cheap, with the average pint in 2023 costing £5.10 (and that’s not even considering club prices). If your friends offer to buy you a drink, remember that you’re a broke university student before you do the polite thing and deny.

Live reaction of me checking my bank account after a night at Dropkicks.

2. The Scottish winter is not for the weak

When I told people I was going to Edinburgh for university, I received the same reply from everyone. “Scotland… isn’t it cold??” I figured that they were being dramatic and it would just be a few degrees colder than what I was used to. Don’t get me wrong, I too love to romanticise evenings when the sky gets dark early and snow falls gently on the Edinburgh cobblestone. But no one talks about the part where you’re sat in your room, you can’t feel your fingers, and you can see the steam come out of your mouth every time you shiver. Pack lots of sweaters and if you think you have enough – double it.

It’s all fun and games until you can’t feel your toes.

3. No one is friendlier than the Scottish

Maybe it’s because I’m from a city where everyone has an ego-complex and likes to sit on public transport in complete silence but I had never witnessed a stranger saying “thank you” to the bus driver before moving to Scotland. Everywhere you go, you’ll be able to find friendly enthusiasm and if you’re lucky, maybe even a random stranger who will challenge you to a pint-drinking contest.

Got to love the Scottish for (quite literally) embracing me.

4. Independence is difficult

And no, before you shout at me, I’m not talking about Scottish Independence. Whilst it felt good to be in charge of my own decisions, I wasn’t expecting it to be so difficult. Without my parents nagging me to clean my room or eat dinner, there were a lot of times when I couldn’t be bothered to do the simplest of tasks. Being responsible for all aspects of your life can be overwhelming but once you get the hang of it and find a routine, it is a rewarding feeling.

5. You may not find your crowd right away

Unfortunately, making a group of friends at the beginning of first year and having a major falling out is a canon event (don’t say I didn’t warn you). At the start of uni, there is a sort of “scramble” to make friends and although it might seem as though everyone has found their people immediately, in a lot of cases it takes time to find the right group. If you thought petty drama only existed in high school, you might want to think again. It might take a few attempts but you will eventually find your people, good things take time and a good group of friends is no exception.

6. Prepare to fall in love

Nothing could prepare me for the affection I grew towards Edinburgh. Its people, its scenery and the freedom I gained from being able to live my life on my terms were enough to make me fall in love. Whilst going to university is a scary change, especially for those moving away from home, it is a rewarding one. Moving to Edinburgh was one of the best decisions I have ever made and I’m sure your journey will be just as exciting.

Be prepared for some of the best years of your life

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