St Andrews University: A Warning

Hah! And u believe in Imperial u will have a better life?? I am rejecting Imperial to go St Andrews cause asked lots of people about both unis. Research a bit before considering anything ..

I have JUST firmed for St. Andrews, and youre not saying anything new! We, prospective students, KNOW it is a small place. I come from Lima, a chaotic, dirty and dangerous Latin American capital of 5 million habitants, maybe some change could be good? I want a peaceful place to study, and I can party when I come back here for the holidays, or maybe if I go to London someday, or in Edinbourgh -it isnt that far away!

Just wanted to add my two cents to this post

I'm not sure what it is about St Andrews, but it never felt the right place for me. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the two times I visited, it just didn't click. I firmed anyway, and after 6 weeks here, I can say that this was probably the biggest mistake I've made in my life so far. I've been miserable almost every second, aside from a good day here and there. I will probably not be returning after the Christmas break. If I do stick around, it'll be to transfer to another University next year.

So, a bit of advice if you're considering St Andrews: if you're not a naturally social person, this isn't the place for you. There is NOTHING to do that isn't social. If you don't want to go out drinking every night of Freshers week, you won't meet anyone, which results in not really having anything more than a couple casual acquaintances by November (this is especially bad in self catered residences). It's a very lonely place, really. Second, if you visit, and it doesn't feel right, go with your instincts. I let my parents influence me too much, and made the 'logical' choice, as opposed to what was probably the right choice for me.

If you do think this is the right place for you, go for it! Lots of people are really happy here, I'm just not one of them. (frankly, I don't know how I've stuck it out this long. I'm seriously considering going home in a few weeks though).

Just wanted to add my two cents to this post

I'm not sure what it is about St Andrews, but it never felt the right place for me. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the two times I visited, it just didn't click. I firmed anyway, and after 6 weeks here, I can say that this was probably the biggest mistake I've made in my life so far. I've been miserable almost every second, aside from a good day here and there. I will probably not be returning after the Christmas break. If I do stick around, it'll be to transfer to another University next year.

So, a bit of advice if you're considering St Andrews: if you're not a naturally social person, this isn't the place for you. There is NOTHING to do that isn't social. If you don't want to go out drinking every night of Freshers week, you won't meet anyone, which results in not really having anything more than a couple casual acquaintances by November (this is especially bad in self catered residences). It's a very lonely place, really. Second, if you visit, and it doesn't feel right, go with your instincts. I let my parents influence me too much, and made the 'logical' choice, as opposed to what was probably the right choice for me.

If you do think this is the right place for you, go for it! Lots of people are really happy here, I'm just not one of them. (frankly, I don't know how I've stuck it out this long. I'm seriously considering going home in a few weeks though).

Sorry you're not enjoying it at St Andrews, which is fair. It's unfair to say if you don't want to go out drinking every night of Freshers week then you won't meet anyone though as that really isn't true. It makes St Andrews sound as if every single person likes to go out and get drunk, which obviously isn't the case. There's plenty of ways to meet people during freshers that don't involve being drunk or drinking. A lot of hall committees hold events particularly aimed at including everyone where no alcohol is involved, you get to meet people in your kitchen if you're self-catered or sit with people at meal times if you're catered, there are over 150 societies to get involved in which don't revolve around drinking. There's something like 60+ sports clubs to get involved in (even as a beginner) which don't revolve around alcohol. Plus, the union works hard to put on events during Freshers' week aimed at those who don't like the typical "going out and getting drunk" night, such as the comedy night, the ceilidh, live music acts and the a cappella concert.

I'll stop now, as I'm in a "yay, St Andrews" mode now

I am just sharing my experience, and my experience was that if you weren't going out to party and get intoxicated, then you weren't going to make any friends or do much of anything. In my hall, every single event they held involved alcohol. Even the clubs I joined essentially had forced consumption of alcohol to be 'accepted' by the group.

Everyone goes around spouting exactly what you just said, and the fact of the matter is, it isn't true. It's not as good as people try and make it out to be, at least not for some people.

If it wasn't true then nobody would say it. All depends on the individual's experience of course though, which I respect

Wow, thanks for this! No, seriously, thanks! This is exactly what I was searching for. I visited St Andrews in October and it seemed to be extremely boring, however, I suppose I could go to Edinburgh every weekend or London every few weeks, so it shouldn't be too bad, and it may be great to study, yet the fact that you have to spend two years doing practically nothing puts me off- what's the point? Especially in a place as boring as that one. I'm not the most going out person but even I am starting to have second thoughts about the uni.
Either way, thanks for the lengthy explanation. It is much appreciated!

Just wanted to add my two cents to this post

I'm not sure what it is about St Andrews, but it never felt the right place for me. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the two times I visited, it just didn't click. I firmed anyway, and after 6 weeks here, I can say that this was probably the biggest mistake I've made in my life so far. I've been miserable almost every second, aside from a good day here and there. I will probably not be returning after the Christmas break. If I do stick around, it'll be to transfer to another University next year.

So, a bit of advice if you're considering St Andrews: if you're not a naturally social person, this isn't the place for you. There is NOTHING to do that isn't social. If you don't want to go out drinking every night of Freshers week, you won't meet anyone, which results in not really having anything more than a couple casual acquaintances by November (this is especially bad in self catered residences). It's a very lonely place, really. Second, if you visit, and it doesn't feel right, go with your instincts. I let my parents influence me too much, and made the 'logical' choice, as opposed to what was probably the right choice for me.

If you do think this is the right place for you, go for it! Lots of people are really happy here, I'm just not one of them. (frankly, I don't know how I've stuck it out this long. I'm seriously considering going home in a few weeks though).

So true, i actually remember you posting on this forum last year. It sucks you don't like it here. To be honest, it isn't for me either, St Andrews is a nice place to spend a year in but i'd find it difficult if you spent 4. Although i've had an easier time of it being able to find friends who I can relate to. There is always a bit of culture shock when you move to a different country and it is true that social people really flourish in a small town environment like St Andrews. If you really don't like it transfer, good luck to you.

I am just sharing my experience, and my experience was that if you weren't going out to party and get intoxicated, then you weren't going to make any friends or do much of anything. In my hall, every single event they held involved alcohol. Even the clubs I joined essentially had forced consumption of alcohol to be 'accepted' by the group.

Everyone goes around spouting exactly what you just said, and the fact of the matter is, it isn't true. It's not as good as people try and make it out to be, at least not for some people.

ElizabethRG, I suspect I actually know who you are, and you saying that all the clubs you joined had "forced consumption of alcohol to be accepted" is not at all true. It'd be a shame if prospective students were misled by you saying that, since many clubs have a relatively mature attitude to this, and let those who want to drink do so, and don't force those who don't want to.

That isn't the way it came across to me for the socials and activities of the two main clubs I really wanted to be a part of. Just reading the comments and descriptions of their socials sounded as if there wasn't much of a choice. What's a person to do when everyone around her is drunk? It's not a fun environment to be a part of.

By the way… really creepy much.

I don't see how it's creepy, I happened to read your post in this thread, and your username doesn't really disguise your identity. It's just a coincidence that I happen to go to one of the clubs you joined and I'm also part of this forum.

Having been to social events where many people have been drinking/drunk, but I wasn't drinking (for various reasons), I don't really understand why it's not a "fun environment", I'm interested to hear what it is you don't like about it. I mean, if you don't like drinking games, then I understand that, but drinking =/= drinking games. Maybe if you have more of an open mind about going along to the social events, you might find that you enjoy them, or even that sometimes, no-one actually drinks at them (as happened at the last social I went to for one of my clubs).

you must be one of the gymnastics people (since none of the skaters know about RG). I'm actually not part of that club anymore because the people were such bullies.