Uni Students who study in Scotland (But went to Uni from England etc)

[Flamezdudes]

I'm just considering the possiblity of going to a Scotland university when it comes to choosing a university which probably won't be too lomg since i'm finishing the first year of my A-Levels soon.

The thing is, i'm worried about the massive change in distance as I live in the south-east of England and practically all my friends and close family live here, although I do have lots of other family members in other countries too.

I don't know anyone in Scotland and i'm also worried about the change in environment and perhaps even, culture? It'll be whole new thing to me so I was wondering if anyone who went through this or is going through this could tell me about their experience?

Thanks!

 

[Galletea]

I wouldn't worry about it. The best thing to do at uni is spend your first year in the halls of residence. There are downsides, like noisy neighbours and occasionally some dickhead will break into your fridge and steal your vodka, but it is the best way to make new friends and get your head around the whole being away from home lark. Everyone there will be in the same boat and you will find that the friends you make in these first few weeks will make life so much easier.

 

[Psymon138]

I wouldn't worry. I'm going to uni in Southern England, Portsmouth in fact, and I have a friend on the course in a similar situation, he's come all the way from Aberdeen. Being far from home is difficult, but you'll find your feet fast, especially if you stay in halls in first year.

EDIT: I wouldn't worry about the culture change, as has been said the Tories aren't terribly popular, but otherwise everyone I know from Scotland is pretty normal. But pack a warm coat, it's grim up north, and the summers aren't nearly as long as they are down here...

 

[bobmus]

-snip-

I'm from the South-East as well (Surrey representing!), but only went as far as London for university. However, I think I can offer some tips:

Make sure you know what you're like with being away from home, as some people get homesick very easily, even on two week holidays. Have you ever been away with your friends (like post-GCSEs) or with school? If so, did you find yourself missing home a lot?

That being said, university's better than all that, as you have all your stuff with you, and you can make your room feel like home. After fresher's is up you'll have a bunch of people you know, and no matter how far from home, if you're living in halls, you're all in the same boat.

I'm living with a Turkish guy and someone from Singapore, that's distance!

If you don't mind me asking, which university were you thinking of? I'm guessing at Edinburgh (it's the one most people would move for).

 

[Flamezdudes]

-snip-

I'm from the South-East as well (Surrey representing!), but only went as far as London for university. However, I think I can offer some tips:

Make sure you know what you're like with being away from home, as some people get homesick very easily, even on two week holidays. Have you ever been away with your friends (like post-GCSEs) or with school? If so, did you find yourself missing home a lot?

That being said, university's better than all that, as you have all your stuff with you, and you can make your room feel like home. After fresher's is up you'll have a bunch of people you know, and no matter how far from home, if you're living in halls, you're all in the same boat.

I'm living with a Turkish guy and someone from Singapore, that's distance!

If you don't mind me asking, which university were you thinking of? I'm guessing at Edinburgh (it's the one most people would move for).

I'm not sure at all yet about what university I want to go to yet still. I was just contemplating the thought of going to university in Scotland and what it would involve, including how I would feel about it really.

This is because my mum told me about an apparent loophole of sorts that my uncle told her about, in that people who have irish grandparents (like me) can apply for an irish passport and therefore if I choose to go to a university in Scotland, get free tuition.

 

[bobmus]

I'm not sure at all yet about what university I want to go to yet still. I was just contemplating the thought of going to university in Scotland and what it would involve, including how I would feel about it really.

This is because my mum told me about an apparent loophole of sorts that my uncle told her about, in that people who have irish grandparents (like me) can apply for an irish passport and therefore if I choose to go to a university in Scotland, get free tuition.

Don't let cost decide what and where you study, is my advice.
For istance, London is the most expensive place to go to University in England, but it's also a great city and I really like my university and lifestyle here. Different universities also offer different courses (and the same subject could have a different curriculum at two unis), not forgetting the fact that some universities are a lot more prestigious than others.

 

[Spandexpanda]

Yeah, I'm Irish, go to Dundee, it's pretty great. Get my fees paid and all, the cost of living is extremely cheap, as is Scotland generally. It's a pretty long commute (obviously), but I don't mind. I go home every three months, but you'd be able to go home a lot more often. My flatmate in first year was from London and she went home pretty regularly. The UK has pretty great public transport. Don't worry about making friends, everyone's in the same boat.