Uni questions

Heyy, didn't know where else to ask these questions so just popping on to this thread to ask them. (Just asking on a general/wide scale, not only related to vet med cohorts, but more specifically at Glasgow/Edinburgh)
(so sorry for the million questions, just really wanted some answers, hope that the lovely people on this thread can help provide some insight)
1.How bad would one say the racism (particularly towards Asians/South Asians/Middle eastern students) at uni as well as at a general public level is?
2. Is it difficult for someone who doesn't drink/will not to socialize (outside of uni) seeing as a majority of socializing seems to take place at pubs and so on?( as in I'm more than happy to socialize at such locations, but just that I will not be partaking in the drinking)
3. Is it common for people to pressure others into drinking, seeing as it's such a common thing (I know I'll have to keep my stand and am not going to give in to peer pressure, but just curious(sidenote- have nothing against drinking. those who drink , just personal preference))/ Are people border line made fun of/teased cause they don't drink( not afraid of this happening, have experienced it plenty and am not bothered, but just curious)
4. Is it difficult for someone who's generally quite a quiet person (not out of social anxiety or such, just doesn't talk that much, unless in like a group activity/a situation which requires discussion ), like bad at small talk etc to make freinds(haven't found this to be an issue till now as I've somehow always found good freinds wherever I go)
Note : The reason for this question being at my interview at the uni, when we were all seated together(long tables so many poeple could sit at each table.) I sat down, a person sat down next to me (neither they nor I initiated conversation)someone else called them over and the two immediately began conversing) Is it difficult for such a person to make freinds with people form other courses
Also considering being kind of a reserved person (as in does not actively engage in vulgar talk if you know what I mean )(have nothing against people who do, almost everyone does infact on a daily basis everywhere in the world) (don't mind being in conversations such as these , just that I will not be participating) will it be hard to make good freinds, as well as socialise with the general cohort/ students from other courses
5. What is the dating scenario like in uni(asking as someone who will not be dating(I know this is such a normal thing worldwide, but just asking in the sense like would people consider it weird if one is not interested in dating etc)(Again - have nothing against dating / people who do so, just a personal preference)
6. Also in regards to the studying aspect are people especially within a cohort always comparing (though maybe not directly) how much they've studied/revised(again this isa very common practise everywhere , but just wanted to know how it is in Uni).
Anything else I should know about Glasgow and edinburgh ( the uni's themselves , as well as students, teaching , the general public)-basically anything that stands out (pro or con)?
(Like I just read about the whole edinburgh tab backlash on elitist behaviour from another thread)
( again so sorry for the million questions, just really wanted some answers, hope that the lovely people on this thread can help provide some insight)

Heyy, didn't know where else to ask these questions so just popping on to this thread to ask them. (Just asking on a general/wide scale, not only related to vet med cohorts, but more specifically at Glasgow/Edinburgh)
(so sorry for the million questions, just really wanted some answers, hope that the lovely people on this thread can help provide some insight)


1.How bad would one say the racism (particularly towards Asians/South Asians/Middle eastern students) at uni as well as at a general public level is?

2. Is it difficult for someone who doesn't drink/will not to socialize (outside of uni) seeing as a majority of socializing seems to take place at pubs and so on?( as in I'm more than happy to socialize at such locations, but just that I will not be partaking in the drinking)

3. Is it common for people to pressure others into drinking, seeing as it's such a common thing (I know I'll have to keep my stand and am not going to give in to peer pressure, but just curious(sidenote- have nothing against drinking. those who drink , just personal preference))/ Are people border line made fun of/teased cause they don't drink( not afraid of this happening, have experienced it plenty and am not bothered, but just curious)

4. Is it difficult for someone who's generally quite a quiet person (not out of social anxiety or such, just doesn't talk that much, unless in like a group activity/a situation which requires discussion ), like bad at small talk etc to make freinds(haven't found this to be an issue till now as I've somehow always found good freinds wherever I go)

Note : The reason for this question being at my interview at the uni, when we were all seated together(long tables so many poeple could sit at each table.) I sat down, a person sat down next to me (neither they nor I initiated conversation)someone else called them over and the two immediately began conversing) Is it difficult for such a person to make freinds with people form other courses

Also considering being kind of a reserved person (as in does not actively engage in vulgar talk if you know what I mean )(have nothing against people who do, almost everyone does infact on a daily basis everywhere in the world) (don't mind being in conversations such as these , just that I will not be participating) will it be hard to make good freinds, as well as socialise with the general cohort/ students from other courses

5. What is the dating scenario like in uni(asking as someone who will not be dating(I know this is such a normal thing worldwide, but just asking in the sense like would people consider it weird if one is not interested in dating etc)(Again - have nothing against dating / people who do so, just a personal preference)

6. Also in regards to the studying aspect are people especially within a cohort always comparing (though maybe not directly) how much they've studied/revised(again this isa very common practise everywhere , but just wanted to know how it is in Uni).

Anything else I should know about Glasgow and edinburgh ( the uni's themselves , as well as students, teaching , the general public)-basically anything that stands out (pro or con)?
(Like I just read about the whole edinburgh tab backlash on elitist behaviour from another thread)


( again so sorry for the million questions, just really wanted some answers, hope that the lovely people on this thread can help provide some insight)

Generally speaking, university is one of the most supportive environments you will experience after school. There will be plenty of people who are not interested in dating or drinking and who share similar interests to yours, making it easier to form friendships.
Most universities also have a significant proportion of international students, many of whom establish their own societies. This means you can always reach out for support from people who share your cultural background.
Relocating and living away from home can be daunting, but remember that even UK students will be living independently, away from their parents and friends, for the first time. In that sense, everyone is in the same boat, and you will find "your crowd"!

As stated previously I’m a Bristol student so I will try and state when things are more Bristol related but also this is just my general experiences
It’s definitely worth remembering universities are some of the most liberal places in the country, Bristol particularly has a very high Asian population of students whereas from what I’ve gathered Scottish unis tend to attract more Americans? I could be totally wrong but I’ve genuinely never heard of anyone experiencing racism and anything EDI related is taken very very seriously regardless!
Unfortunately being white myself I can’t comment on racism potentially by the public however hostility is usually for being a student regardless of anything else (some Bristol locals are not happy with us being here due to housing prices etc!)
There’s societies and clubs for everyone. Yes there’s a lot of drinking involved in socialising but you can still absolutely just go to the pub and get a coke and socialise. One of my friends doesn’t drink and comes clubbing with us because she enjoys it. I’ve gone out when I’ve been on antibiotics for example and can’t drink, you don’t need to drink to be included.
I’ve never experienced anyone being made fun of for outright not drinking, my friends have made a tease in jest if I’ve not drunk on a night out because they know I DO normally drink but I know it’s completely light hearted. If you tell the people you are with that you don’t drink at all they are unlikely to pressure you in the slightest, the ‘pressure’ will normally come in if it’s your mate who normally drinks but doesn’t want to have one that night people are like ‘go on have one’. Again one of my friends really rarely drinks so when we are out we will offer her a drink and if it’s a no then that’s that there’s no big deal. It’s all about who you surround yourself with, most people will respect your decision not to drink.
I suspect it’ll be the same situation, everyone finds their tribe and will gel with someone. You don’t need a group of friends if you are happy and content w those around you. A lot of your friends will come from group tasks etc within uni because you spend a lot of time with them.
Again you just need to go to societies of interest, often people from different backgrounds will go to the associated society eg Indian society or Persian society etc and they will meet people of similar values to themselves. Unfortunately you need to get slightly uncomfortable to put yourself in a position to make friends, it’s so easy to ‘forget’ how to make friends when you have had the same ones for so long, you need to do that small talk again.
You will rarely talk about your dating life with anyone unless you bring it up, vetcest is rampant in vet schools because you spend so much time together and so there’ll always be certain peoples sex lives that everyone knows about but no one specifically cares about who is dating/ shagging and who isn’t.
Comparing studying is generally quite a common thing yes, at Bristol no one really discusses our exam scores it’s just ‘did you pass?’ But the nature of vet school is you talk about how revision is getting on, how swamped you are in work/behind you are. The thing to keep in your mind is if you are struggling probably everyone else is aswell. I know my cohort are currently all dreading our exams because it’s just been such a difficult year so we keep comparing ourselves to a sinking ship lol