Who Does My Washing? And Other Important Questions

If you are thinking about coming to Glasgow Uni and you are from outside Scotland you have a major advantage in your first year, in that you are guaranteed a place in halls. Life is just that little bit easier. You can ease yourself into living away from home - not worry about stuff like utilities (electricity, gas, water), council tax, broadband, bills. Just concentrate on enjoying yourself - oh and studying, of course.

Coming to Halls

Most students would say if you get a chance to stay in halls in your first year, particularly if you don't know that many people in Glasgow, then do. Aside from avoiding some of the complications of finding and living in your own flat, it's simply the best way to meet people and with so many people living in the same place you're bound to find like-minded folk.

Each hall has a Chief Warden or Head Senior Resident who is often a member of University staff living in the hall - and yes, sometimes they may well stop an impromptu gathering (never, EVER, call it a party) but there's also something quite reassuring if it's your first time away from home, about knowing there's someone who is responsible for making sure everything is working!

With the exception of Wolfson Hall, all university accommodation is self-catering. So, be prepared with those cook books that well meaning folks keep giving you - maybe even be prepared with a few recipes you can actually cook that don't involve toast and baked beans.

The biggest relief for many is not having anyone tell you when to tidy your room, root around in your washing and no nosy siblings going through your stuff. The tidiness or otherwise of your room is more or less up to you. But - bear in mind if you don't leave it nice and clean when you leave - you'll be billed for getting the cleaners in! 

Money

There's no doubt about it: university can be an expensive business - along with books, rent, bills, food, drink, not to mention some kind of social life and a newly cultivated loyalty to the Tesco value range.  The simple fact that you've probably never had to manage your own money means that you may start out spending a lot of money that you don't need to. Living cheaply is an art, and the only way to perfect it is through practice. Don't worry about it too much: everyone learns how eventually. There is of course one golden rule which will keep you right: don't spend what you don't have. Easier said than done, we know.

Student Discount
A lesson to learn quickly is that, as one of Glasgow's student population, you'll rarely have to pay full price for anything. Always, always ask about a student discount - we can't stress this enough. All those 10% discounts add up to essentials like toilet paper - or other luxuries like grocery shopping!

Travel discounts are always worth looking into, too - you can get travel cards for buses and of course for trains. And buying subway tickets in 10s or 20s give you some spare change to add to your curry night budget.