Congratulations and celebrations! You’ve made it to the University of Strathclyde- countless hours of studying, worrying and maybe a few breakdowns along the way and here you are. So, you’re about to be living in Glasgow; what’s there to know? Well, here are some tips and tricks that will make you more comfortable, more knowledgeable and more savvy in the city you’ll be calling home.
- Got a Weekend Free? Go to the Barras. Bustling with loads of stalls and good vibes, the Barras is one of the gems in Glasgow life. Whether you are looking for decorations for your new flat or just wanting a nosey about – the Barras are always worth a visit. Plus only a fifteen-minute walk from Campus.
- Museums – they’re free! Whether it’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery or the Riverside Museum, the Alasdair Gray Archive or the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow has an expansive list of brilliant places to explore and learn more about the city. You’ll be a skint student, so realistically anything that’s free is your friend. Maybe you aren’t a big museum goer right now – but maybe you should start!
- Download the Glasgow Taxis App – This is not paid promotion; this is genuine advice – cheaper and faster than other taxi companies out there. Strathclyde also offers a service which enables you to inform the taxi company that you’re a student and need to get home safely. No money, no problem – show them your student ID. They’ll charge your bill to the Union, and you can pay it in the morning.
- Download the Wetherspoons app – Yeah, just take my advice on this one. You’re probably thinking, wow, what a riddy (Scottish Slang for embarrassing) that I’m suggesting this, but trust me, it will be useful. There are about five Wetherspoons within a five-mile radius of Glasgow. If you already have the app, be prepared to use it!
- Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music – So go to gigs! From King Tuts Wah Wah Hut for big as well as breakout names, to Celtic Connections in February if you are more into the classic folk music scene or even if you are a lover of Opera, we have the Royal Concert Hall. You can get tickets at reasonable prices and have a good night out in the meantime. Keep an eye out, as you never know who might become your next favourite artist.
- Get yourself a Young Scots Card – So this might not be as applicable to those who are from Scotland already, but if you’re moving from another country, you are eligible to apply for a Young Scots Card if you have a Scottish residence, like University Halls. This counts as proof of ID, enables you to access discounts and gives you free bus travel if you’re under the age of 22, so it is definitely worth investing in.
- Finally, People Make Glasgow – Although it is daunting making a start in a new city, Glasgow is one of the friendliest cities in the UK. People are more than willing to chat, offer advice and share laughs once you get to know them. Before you know it, you’ll be right at home as a Glaswegian yourself.
Hi, I’m Erin. I’m currently studying English and History. She/her
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