Five things you must do this week…

Spit/Save: I know I’m always banging on about blood donations, so here is something a bit different for the medical philanthropist inside you. This Thursday, the Anthony Nolan register will be taking DNA samples (just spit in a tube, don’t get too excited…) in the highly convenient location of the Library Cafe from 8pm – 11pm. Note to all charities – do more stuff here, such a hotspot for social activity! Briefly and unscientifically, your tube-spit will be put into a database to see if you can save a cancer sufferer’s life by donating your very particular blood stem cells to them – it’s not difficult and it hurts a hell of a lot less than having cancer does. A friend of mine was recently matched, and this got him an all-expenses-paid trip to London from St Andrews – flight, fancy hotel, full medical examination, free food and everything. Plus he potentially saved someone’s life. Umm…worth it. 

Vote: This is something that EVERYONE is banging on about right now, but I promise it’s super important too. In the style of good old fashioned democracy, this week you can choose who run dis town in 2014/15. Choose who’ll be in charge of Freshers’ Week (DoES), who’ll get you a place to live (Accommodation Officer), and, of course, who designates which gender gets to go in which bathroom…or something… (I don’t even know who decided that one). Many things must be decided, and the power is in your hands – choose to use, people. Vote online here from Wednesday 11pm to Friday 6pm. On a totally unrelated note, does anyone else really love the School of English? I sure do…

Big Top Ball Tickets: The circus is coming back to town in the not-so-distant future, as last year’s winner of Best Newcomer in the ball category returns. Circus tent, circus games, circus snacks… you get the gist. Ticket sales Wednesday and Thursday at the Union.

Flatball Scottish Regionals: You are invited to BYOB to the biggest Flatball tournament in Scotland, descending on St Andrews this weekend. With pitch side DJs and food, this is one sporting event different from the rest, as all Scottish Uni Flatball teams battle it out to win a place at nationals (omg just like Glee but with sport). Saturday evening they’ll be having a big old hootenanny at the Vic, and we heard they party hard. Theme is outer space (what?) and there will be prizes for the best dressed. GO TEAM.

Glitterball: The sparkliest, most jazzled and bedazzled event of the year is here. LGBT have really outdone themselves with their new event, decking out the beautiful Hall of Champions at the Old Course Hotel for one night only, offering you tons and tons of cool stuff for your ticket price, a mere £20 – the cheapest ball yet? Miss Gaga, Scotland’s one and only answer to Mother Monster, will be there, alongside the Jazzle Sisters, acapella performances, a jazz band, face painting and DJs…wow. Tickets still available here but be quick! You don’t want to miss out on this fabulous occasion.