Are you a lively bunch?

[Soon-to-be-newbie]

Hello, I've just accepted St Andrews for French and Spanish, starting in September '10, as an undergraduate.

I like going out and having a good time. I like clubbing but decided to sacrifice this love due to the outstanding reputation St Andrews has, and how impressive I found the uni to be at the open day. But my question: I'm slightly apprehensive, although I've been told St Andrews is actually quite a lively town, am I going to be completely out of place? Surely a town with 7,500 students can't be boring... right??

Also, if anyone's got any reports on the French and Spanish departments, that would be lovely.

Sorry, if this is a 'strictly-current-students' kind of site, but I'll be one in like 6 months so I figured it would be okay haha!

Thanks!

[orudge]

To a degree, you do have to make your own entertainment. But St Andrews students tend to manage that admirably, and there is lots going on if you seek it out. And if all else fails, Dundee and Edinburgh aren't too far away if you want a proper club!

[steelegbr]

As a final year student about to go careering out the door, my reply would be it depends on who you get make friends with. You'll find a mix of lively and quiet people. You'll probably get to know some of both.

Are you going into halls? If so, you'll soon find people into the same things as yourself. If not, there's always the societies kicking about like Ravesoc. Worst case, there's the bop if you need a party.

As for reports on the languages departments... can't help you much there. I'm one of the people crazy enough to be studying Computer Science. Though, out of pure random luck at the moment, I am living with some language students. Most of the stuff I hear seems to be good.

[donpablo]

If you truly like clubbing you will find it hard going.

The bop is awful if you like clubbing.
Ravesoc is a joke if you are into clubbing / raves too and don't seem to be up to much these days.
There was an actual rave event in the union this year but poorly attended so whether there will be another one is another story.

Dundee isn't great, but it does have some options. Fat sams is best avoided. London (the club) does have some good nights every now n then but it's a bit of a local crowd and also better avoided. I've not been to Liquid and there is a bunch of other smaller niche clubs around. Dundee Union has some good nights and you are free to go there with your St Andrews matric card.

Edinburgh is a as much a pain to get to and back in a night as Glasgow is really, which is your best bet if you want to head out of St Andrews for the weekend.

I've no experience of the language department however.

[Nisbet]

Well doll, I was in the same kinda situation as you, and I'm actually from inbetween edinburgh and glasgow so was used to pretty epic club nights out. The Bop at St Andrews is nowhere near a club, but in my experience no matter what you plan on doing on a tuesday or friday, if you're drinking you'll end up there just because it's open so late!

And as for Fundee wow! My friends and I try to go once a month, and although compared to say Edinburgh or Glasgow, it's pretty gash, the fact that you haven't been clubbing for so long makes it cracking! And its only 28 in a taxi home, so if theres a group of you it isnt that bad! Liquid is good, and I disagree donpablo, i think Fat Sams is pretty brilliant, but thats only because a lot of the company that you meet there, in particular the Dundonians are a wee bit below par, which I find makes great crack because it's just like being at home!

Im sure you'll find that with a city close by, the vast amount of pubs here, the bop and the possibility of heading to the capital relatively easy, you'll have a great time here, clubs or no clubs

[Soon-to-be-newbie]

Well thanks guys! I'm feeling pretty excited now, a place is what you make it I guess!

[Thereisnospoon]

Although not clubs, the Lizard and Catch can both be pretty awesome, and Ma Bells has an odd good night too. I'm a first year and the only times I have ever seen the union packed were Calvin Harris and Freshers week - don't buy one of those freshers passes! Buses run from the raisin every weds for something like £7 to Fat Sams, which can be a shitload of fun, and there are a lot of people who make the journey regularly. The bus is always packed anyway. As long as you're a confident person I don't think you'll have any troubling having as much fun as you want though...

[donpablo]

I think he said he enjoys clubbing, not being a pretentious assclown.