Tharana Arun
Applying to universities during my final years of school in India was a daunting experience. At first, I had no idea about the application process or what the universities expected from me. I was also moving away from the comforts of home - accepting that was quite challenging.
Scotland is a country that has always fascinated me. I believe it has the best of what the UK has to offer: from scenic highlands, busy cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh and most importantly the highly renowned Universities.
My brother had also studied at St Andrew’s University, which had given me the opportunity to visit a few years before applying to University. The people were welcoming and it had a much calmer atmosphere in comparison to where I come from.
When applying to University, I finally chose Scotland as my new home and was delighted to be accepted to Strathclyde Law School. The daunting experience had turned into an exciting one!
Moving to a new country halfway across the world is not easy when done alone. Having close family in Edinburgh has been a blessing, but nevertheless it has been a challenge and there have been a lot things to learn in a short space of time.
Here is my Strathclyde 101 guide – vital things I’ve picked up from the Strathclyde community and have helped me create my home away from home.
Accommodation
I would recommend you apply for accommodation as soon as you receive an offer as it can be very competitive.
In my first year of study, I stayed at the University’s Birkbeck Court halls. The halls were a perfect place to reside as they were located centrally, close to the campus and a short walk from a number of grocery stores such as Aldi, Sainsbury’s and RaceTrack (perfect for late night snack cravings).
I am someone who enjoys cooking my meals and found it handy that there was an Asian supermarket and Indian store just ten minutes away from my accommodation.
The Library is also a 5 minute walk from the Halls, is a great place to get work done and has extremely reasonable printing prices. All this can be viewed on the Strathclyde App.
Strathclyde Sport
To burn off all the food I was cooking and relieve the stress of university, I am a regular at Strathclyde Sport, the University gym.
I was quite inexperienced when I first joined but the staff members were very helpful and showed me around, making me feel comfortable and confident with the machines and facilities as time went by.
I also discovered that there are free classes that you can book if you prefer exercising with a group of people. My favourite classes are Zumba and box fit, which are fun ways to exercise and are conducted by professionals.
Going to the gym is a great way to socialise and meet people from across the university. Membership is free if you are staying at the University Halls and if you are staying off-campus, you are eligible for a highly discounted student membership rate.
Other facilities
I believe greatly in work-life balance. Uni can be extremely stressful at times, and I like to engage in activities outside of the lecture hall.
The Strathclyde Student Union is a great place to hang out and unwind with your friends. There are pool tables and dart stations that can be booked along with a bar with highly-discounted drinks.
There are also societies that can be joined and I highly recommend browsing through them to see if anything piques your interest.
Another thing I would recommend is looking out for part-time jobs as it teaches you basic life skills and earning your own money enables you to live a more sustainable life.
Student-friendly Glasgow
As a second year student, I have a few other hacks and basic information that will save you money in the long run:
- Students can travel for free on the bus within Scotland by applying for a Young Scot card.
- I also downloaded the UNiDAYS app on my phone which enables me to receive student discounts across various stores and access discounted entry across various clubs in Glasgow.
- I also applied for a Subway card which makes Subway travel cheaper.
- If you like cycling, there are OVO bike stations across Glasgow and Strathclyde provides up to 60 minutes of free riding.
Strathclyde has a place for everyone with different interests and cultures and ensures that students are comfortable away from their homes. Use the facilities as much as you can and never be shy to ask for help!