Hello! I’m Eva, seasoned Westender and your new guide to making the best of student life. If you’re new to Glasgow, you’re about to fall head over heels for this little pocket of the city.
A Student Guide to Glasgow
Whether you’re arriving wide-eyed with your IKEA bags or returning for another year of coursework and chaos – this column will be your ultimate survival guide to settling in, finding your spots, and making the most of uni life.
Go Beyond Byres Road
Byres Road might be the heart of the West End, but the real charm lies in the streets and corners beyond it. Make it your mission to try a different coffee shop every time you go out. Trust me, you’ll need it when exam season hits. I’ll be sharing my personal favourite spots in the next Westender edition, so keep an eye out! Take time to wander through the lanes and explore hidden gems like Otago Lane, home to cosy second-hand bookstores and plant shops that will instantly brighten up your flat.
Freshers’ Week Isn’t Everything
It’s easy to feel pressure to “have the best week ever” during Freshers. Truth is, it’s completely fine if your version of that involves more people-watching in the Botanic Gardens than tequila shots on Ashton Lane. There’s something for everyone – from club nights and live gigs to ceilidhs and silent discos. Try a few things, say yes when it feels right, and know that the best friendships don’t all happen in week one.
Build Your Balance
With a whole new level of freedom, settling into uni life can be a challenge. While the temptation to skip that 9am lecture is real, setting good habits early will make life so much smoother in the long run. The trick is to build a routine that you actually enjoy. Whether that’s grabbing your favourite drink to get you through your least favourite class, keeping an evening free to try out a new club, or saving Saturday nights for catching up with friends. It’s all about balancing the work with the fun. And don’t forget to carve out some downtime for yourself too.
Make Glasgow Yours
This city is welcoming, weird, wonderful – and now it’s yours too! You’ll discover your go-to spots, favourite chippies, and those small, everyday joys that make student life what it is. Whether you’re here for a semester or the next four years, this chapter is going to shape you. So take the detour, talk to everyone, from your barista to the stranger next to you on the Subway, and soak it up.
There are even more student tips waiting for you on the Westender website. But for now, go explore, stay curious, and be yourself. You’ve got this.
For more of Eva’s essential student tips and guide to Glasgow –
Return to Culture and Arts Articles and check out her previous student columns.
