The Uni Guide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRScoyFAilQ

Anonymous asked: We are visiting Edinburgh in 2 weeks for two day, March 19-20 and really want to get a feel for University life (both academic and social) but are not coming on a student lead tour day. What are your suggestions for obtaining an in depth "feel" for the school?

Hi there! That’s great that you’ll be visiting, and I’m sorry that you won’t be able to have a student-led tour. In the past, I have agreed to meet people who are coming to visit to sort of show them around, point out the different accommodations, take them into the library, and even let them shadow me in a lecture, if they so wish. If that’s something that you’d be interest in, I’d be happy to help you out. Just email me at theuniguide12@gmail.com, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. I will say, however, that I do have a deadline on the 21st, but regardless, I’m sure I can spare an hour or two to help you see if Edinburgh is right for you. :) 

Cheers,

Tiff

Anonymous asked: Post more often! This blog has been really helpful for me in deciding on Edinburgh. You have more readers than just those who follow u!

Aw, thank you so much! That’s very sweet of you. And I intend to, I do. Not been an easy few months with work piling up but I’m starting to get better, I think! Even managed a post today and there are plenty more where that came from. :) I really do appreciate your kind words, though. They remind me why I started this blog in the first place and I do promise to post more. If there’s anything in particular you’d like to hear about, please don’t hesitate to put in a suggestion! :)

Cheers,

Tiff

Anonymous asked: Hi Tiff, we had a brief exhange on the Studentroom a couple years back about our Radiohead and Muse love. I then went to Liverpool to do a music course but hated it and then worked in London last year till my visa expired. I'm now back in the U.S and want to go back. I've applied to UCL for three different language courses (including Swedish and German) and Cambridge. After reading your posts though, I'm considering replacing one with Edinburgh if UCAS will let me. Thoughts? - Max (omatosis).

Hi, Max! Yeah, I remember you! Aw, that’s a shame that you didn’t enjoy it. But at least you had the courage to break away, as some people often don’t and continue studying something they’re not enjoying. That’s brilliant, UCL’s amazing for Scandinavian languages, so good on you. Only you can make the decision, ultimately, but it doesn’t hurt to apply, if they’ll let you, as you’ll have technically have an extra spot left, if you’ve only applied for four courses. The Edinburgh Scandinavian Department is fantastic and offers really great study abroad opportunities for third year, so that’s something worth considering. Also, Edinburgh has quite a lot of Scandinavian influence - it doesn’t take much to find a Swedish cafe or Norwegian shop about town and also, its close proximity to these countries means a lot of immigrants have moved here, so finding natives with which to practice wouldn’t be too difficult, either. In the end, of course it’s up to you, but I will whole-heartedly recommend it, as my experience so far has been nothing short of fantastic and if you end up coming here, I hope yours is just as wonderful.

Best of luck!

Cheers,

Tiff

Heart to Heart Time - UniGuide Style

Hello, dear readers,

This isn’t the post you’ve likely come to expect from me (though given my recent amount of posts, what you probably expect is none at all… apologies!) but as I sit here in my room, on a sunny Edinburgh day, I may as well talk about it. 

Decisions, kids. Today’s topic is decisions. I admit, first year was a bit of a trial run. I still lived within the sheltered walls of university accommodation and that gave the sense that nothing bad could touch me. None of the hard times I might have gone through in that first year really mattered. But then I moved out into private accommodation with two of my friends and suddenly, we were in the real world.

The big, scary world, of reading and signing leases, paying for bills, doing gas meter checks, dealing with estate agents, and 2nd year of university on top of all that. And suddenly, those little things that happened in first year become real. You start to feel the real loss of friends you might have lost touch with over petty things in first year, or the boy who you thought you could trust that turned out to be not quite so trustworthy after all…

And then suddenly, you’re almost through with 2nd year and you begin to wonder… where did all that time go? How did I go from blogging about wanting to be in Edinburgh so badly to actually being here? To having been here for nearly two years? 

If these years have gone by so quickly, how quickly will the next two go by? Before you’re plunged into yet another world, even bigger and scarier than the last, as you try to find a job or continue studying? And what if what you want to study changes? I will admit there have been times that I have sat in a lecture wondering what I am doing with my life (only my outside course, but still) and while I am very happy with the decisions that have brought me to where I am today, I suppose it’s just that natural feeling of change we sometimes get that’s called growing up. You think you’re an adult when you start uni, but you’re not. You think you’re an adult, when you move out of uni flats, but you’re not. I think it’s only that when you truly take a look at your decisions and realize that life isn’t exactly what you thought it would be, and that things never quite go according to plan, but appreciating that fact, that you begin to understand what it is to be an adult. 

But who wants to be an adult, anyway? 

And on that melancholy note, I shall go merrily read about the Mesolithic and leave you all to ponder existence. Expect more cheerful posts in future. I am not, after all, a philosopher, but an archaeology student. 

Cheers,

Tiff 

Anonymous asked: My friends and I are currently in the process of flat-hunting and it's so stressful! We've seen a few flats and are scheduled to see more, but we're starting to get worried. I know you were going to do an in-depth post about this, but do you have any brief tips for us? Should we be worried about being homeless next year? :P

I completely feel you guys! I’m currently in the process, as well, as one of my flatmates is going abroad to Paris and I’m not sure what the other is doing in the way of accommodation, but we might end up not living together! :( I’m actually thinking a video might be more apt, but I tend to want no one in the flat when I record them, or else they might think I’m a tad bit strange talking to myself in my room. But, hmm, brief tips… Take care if an agency asks for ‘administration fees’. These are, in fact, illegal in Scotland, and they are only allowed to charge you for your holding fee, which then becomes a part of your deposit. Nothing more. Also take care when choosing an estate agents and try and find one that is endorsed by the uni or has been recommended to you by older students. Avoid Grant Management, if you can, as well as Steyn Lettings. It’s all smiles and hand shakes until your shower breaks or the door knob falls off and nobody seems to eager to come and fix them. 

Don’t worry about being homeless. If it’s any comfort to you, we only had our current property held on the 11th of March so you’ve still got just under two weeks! And most people didn’t have their plans settled until April/May time. But in the end, it does depend on when you want your flat for. For instance, if you’re planning on staying the summer, then the sooner, the better. Right now, just focus on deciding where you want to live and establish a maximum monthly rent and look for some place that meets your needs. I’ll be covering more things about that soon, but that’s just the main things to look out for, at least at this early stage of flat-hunting. :)

Good luck! 

Cheers,

Tiff

Anonymous asked: What are the politics like? Would a fiscally conservative American feel like a complete outsider? Are politics even really a big thing on campus?

To be honest, it all depends on what crowd you hang around. If you’re studying Law/International Relations, be prepared to be grilled for having any conservative beliefs. I suppose if you can justify them, though, it might be a bit easier, but it’s not something to brag about around here, especially since most people are left wing, even by British standards. But, I’ve never gotten into any heated political debate around here. So if you hang around people who really won’t care, then that’s fine. That’s not to say I don’t care about politics back home, I just absolutely hate getting into petty squabbles with people who think they know more. Maybe they do. What do I know? I’m just an Archaeology student. I’m easily amused by things in the ground. 

But I digress.

Thanks for your question and I encourage you to apply and see for yourself if Edinburgh is right for you! :)

Cheers,

Tiff

backseat-timetraveller asked: hey tiff! thanks for putting such an amazing blog! it's literally been the most helpful source of information i've found. anyway, on to the questions: how difficult is it to get into the art/architecture programs? are they really selective? also, do they require portfolios? thanks in advance! :)

Hi! Love your username, by the way, reminds me of Doctor Who. Thanks for your nice comments! I appreciate knowing that it’s been of use to some people. :) Art/Architecture programs do tend to be very competitive, but that shouldn’t discourage you! Many courses are and it’s all about making a case for yourself - why should they pick you over someone else? Make sure you stand out. Again, I know that seems like general advice high school guidance counsellors give to avoid really answering a question, but they’ve got a point - you have to stand out. That’s where the portfolio comes in. Do you have any relevant work from any AP classes in the arts you might have taken? Or have you volunteered somewhere before or even done an art course as an outside thing? All of these things will help you stand out among the crowd. Most schools do require portfolios (though I won’t say all to avoid giving a wrong answer, as I’m not entirely sure) so have a look on their website to see what kinds of things they’re looking for. Additionally, if you have any specific questions about a particular university, email them! That’s what they’re there for and I’m sure they’d be more than happy to guide you in the right direction if you’re not sure what sort of material would be best to submit. 

Best of luck!

Cheers,

Tiff

Anonymous asked: Hi Tiff! I was sent an unconditional offer for the International Relations program, I'm super excited, and I had a couple questions if you have time to answer them. First, how is the social life? I know the bar scene is a big thing but what about during the day and with groups associated with the University? Second, are there any dates I should know about other than the reply deadline in June? I seem to remember something about a housing deadline, but I'm not clear on it. Thanks, love the blog!

Hey there! Thanks for your question. :) Congrats on your offer, for starters, that’s really great! The social life is really what you make of it. I know that seems like the cheesy, generic answer you always get, but it’s the truth. As for the bar scene, this is Scotland - it’s just as big during the day! No, I’m kidding. Sort of. During the day, you’ll be busy with lectures/tutorials and the like so your most social events will be lunch with friends, or having a wander in town, or even a cup of coffee, reading a nice, good book. Alternatively, there are also society events, but most of them tend to be at night and/or at the weekend, when you’re more free/less a slave to the library. Enjoy the freedom you have in first year, my dear. You shall miss it dearly in second year and beyond. *Moment of silence for my lost social life*

I’m not entirely sure what the housing deadline is for this year but the rule of thumb is the sooner you get your app in, the sooner you are likely to hear back and the more likely you are to get your first choice. So it’s best to apply as soon as you’re ready, really. The sooner, the better! Make sure you also get to know your visa dates, if you’re an international student, so that you can get it in time for Fresher’s Week! 

Good luck and hope to see you around here next year! :)

Cheers,

Tiff

Anonymous asked: Hi! Thank you so much for this extremely helpful blog!!!! I am applying for Sustainable Development at University of Edinburgh -- what do you know about that program, as far as feedback from students?

Hi there! I’m glad you like it. :) I will confess, I don’t know much about the program itself but I did once look into taking it as an outside course, mainly because I’ve found myself interested in aspects of Environmental Archaeology, and some of the same concepts would apply. Edinburgh has a fantastic reputation for scientific research and from what I know, the degree is very inter-disciplinary and you’ll have lectures from staff in Biology, Geology, History, Economics, and even Architectural History. So it really encompasses a wide range of subjects in order to solve the problem of energy depletion, building sustainable communities, etc. I don’t know anyone on the course, I’m afraid, but have a search online, I’m sure someone’s commented on it, even if only on the university prospectus. Good luck!

Cheers,

Tiff