Uni in a small town or a city? Help!

15

I'm currently in the process of deciding which uni to go to and I really am at my wits end here... I'm such an indecisive person at the best of times but when it comes to picking somewhere to live and study for the next 4 years I am even worse.
I don't feel like I'm ever going to be able to decide this :frown:

But anyway!
I didn't go to any of the St Andrew Uni open days last year and before I applied I didn't have any intention of going if I got an offer.
But now after reading about the uni and hearing people's experiences there I really want to go there.
Having lived in a city all my life I would love to experience living in a small town, and this may be my only chance.

But there is still that little bit of doubt in my mind that by not going to uni in a city I'll be missing out on some of the experience and there won't be that same atmosphere.

I am going to all the uni open days so I'm hoping they will help me decide.

Does anyone go to a 'small' uni or a uni in a small-ish town? What's it like?

Reply 1

Hashem

dudette its up to the personality, theres no general way of putting it

Reply 2

NickiM

14

Yes, as the above person said. It's down to you. Like, the places I've chosen are all small cities/campus, I couldn't live somewhere like London or Manchester. But it's down to you. Visit them if you can - you'll get a feel for what you like and don't like.

Reply 3

x_muso_x

3

Personally I prefer city unis rather than small/campus unis >> whilst I've applied to Manchester, it's not all 'student-ified' and much of it is integrated into the city, so you're living alongside locals which I personally prefer... with a campus uni it's not really realistic as you're in somewhat of your own bubble, mini supermarkets/cashpoints etc are all there for you so you don't really need to venture outside the campus if you don't want to... but if you like the convenience side of things, I say go for that...

sorry for the ramble! :tongue:

x

Reply 4

Katy200

13

Its definitly a decision that depends on the person, no one can decided for you. I decided to apply to smaller unis, in the small towns rather than the big City as i have been in Manchester all my life and its a bit different. My advice would be go to the open days and see if you like the place.

Reply 5

Rian1988

14

Don't forget St. Andrews is not that far from Dundee, there's regular bus services there.

Reply 6

Jonah Ramone

19

Well I am from a small town with a university and I can say that I have rarely encountered students from there in the town (which to be fair is pretty useless) So it would seem that there are segregated ares even in smaller places. A large city would've been way too much for me to handle, which is why I chose a small(er) city university, which seems fine for me. In all you need to go somewhere where you will feel comfortable; and for which I would add the open days do really help; even just going in your own time to the town/uni will help you decide. Good luck!

Reply 7

Angelil

19

It depends what kind of experience you want.
If you want a clubbing experience, then a smaller town might not be to your tastes - but on the flip side, most small cities have clubs even if they're not exactly of the 'raving metropolis' status. Exeter, for example, is more of a pub city than a club city. I prefer that. But even those of my friends who are more into clubbing seem to have a great time here - so you might want to try and pick somewhere that's got a mixture of pubs and clubs?
Sorry not to be more helpful...I don't really know anything about St Andrews for a start. Whether you feel you'll miss out really depends on what you're like and what you're after, and we can't answer that for you.

Reply 8

magic_unicorn

12

From growing up in a city (Bristol), I moved to a small town (Cornwall): and found I really missed the activities and facilities that a city has. Whereas the town im in at the moment gets quite boring as you have to travel alot to go any where interesting.
But whats odd is the fact that because I'm not a huge party-er I thought I'd be more suited to a small time life, But have now realised I'm a city girl at heart, a now don't take my home town for granted.

Reply 9

The Boosh

17

aph my god iiam soooooodrujk jesus cherist tsr is spinniung aaaaaaahahahahd ewwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Reply 10

The Boosh

17

ijkm going to be sickk

Reply 11

tomc87

1

I chose a uni in a town rather than a city. For me the student atmosphere is better and students make up a large part of the community. Nightlife is still good, as long as you don't expect the variety you would get in somewhere like Birmingham or Manchester...
In a town its more of a strong student community, whereas in a big city you can merge in with everyone else if you want to...

Reply 12

gaijin

1

There is also many facilities open to increase the standard of your course as well as your standard of living. I think if you went somewhere like London to study Russian you would find a bigger community to access. Plus you've got more available to fund your own hobbies and interests.

It really depends on how comfortable you feel in that setting. I love the city, but sometimes I wish I was on a quiet campus in the countryside. However, the night-life and social aspect would be crap - and I would get bored fast.

My mate went to Warwick and said it was great because the whole uni was really close and you got to know a lot of people - whereas in the bigger unis, you only really tend to know people in your social sphere.

Reply 13

Lou_

OP

15

jstw

Don't forget St. Andrews is not that far from Dundee, there's regular bus services there.

True!
Do you live near/in St Andrews?

Thanks for your advice everyone.. it is very much appreciated :hugs:

Reply 14

Rian1988

14

Lou_

True!
Do you live near/in St Andrews?

Thanks for your advice everyone.. it is very much appreciated :hugs:

Yes I live in Perth, Tayside, I know theres an every 15 minute Stagecoach bus from St. Andrews to Dundee, and Dundee is a great place, lots of shops, restaurants and Cafés. And lots more...

Reply 15

Rian1988

14

See... http://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables/9921stAug06web.pdf

Reply 16

coldroses

Lou_

True!
Do you live near/in St Andrews?

Thanks for your advice everyone.. it is very much appreciated :hugs:

Hi I'm at uni in St Andrews atm and live in Liverpool. I would definitely say visit the university. I find that people here either love the place or are completely indifferent to it. Personally I would class Dundee as a town, not the best place in the world - shopping is not great and the night life is a bit crap. If you're use to clubs, plenty of decent shops, etc I would not really consider St Andrews. If you want to ask me any questions feel free.

Reply 17

ChemistBoy

16

coldroses

Hi I'm at uni in St Andrews atm and live in Liverpool. I would definitely say visit the university. I find that people here either love the place or are completely indifferent to it. Personally I would class Dundee as a town, not the best place in the world - shopping is not great and the night life is a bit crap. If you're use to clubs, plenty of decent shops, etc I would not really consider St Andrews. If you want to ask me any questions feel free.

I agree, St Andrews is like marmite you either love it or hate it. Well, not exactly like marmite because it can grow on you or the reverse! I thoroughly enjoyed my time at St A and wouldn't swap it for the world, but 4 years was enough.

Reply 18

coldroses

ChemistBoy

I agree, St Andrews is like marmite you either love it or hate it. Well, not exactly like marmite because it can grow on you or the reverse! I thoroughly enjoyed my time at St A and wouldn't swap it for the world, but 4 years was enough.

I think 4 years is going to be a long time for me.... :p:

Reply 19

Lou_

OP

15

I don't really like shopping, and clubbing isn't essential so I don't think that will bother me.
But does it get boring sometimes?
At times I think the places looks so lovely and I love the idea of being away from the city but other times when I think of it I just feel like I would feel so.. well not claustrophobic lol but.. *can't think of a word*

Thanks for all your input guys! I'm definitely going to visit so I can get a feel for the place.

ChemistBoy which accomm did you stay in and coldroses what are you in?

Thanks for the link jstw :smile:

Uni in a small town or a city? Help!

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