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Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Scotsnet

University of Edinburgh

13 replies

ifonly4 · 16/08/2019 09:07

DD received her A level results yesterday and I'm very proud she'll be going to Edinburgh uni, and happy we can visit a lovely city ourselves!

Due to distance (350miles), we've only done a brief visit and talk and walk. Just wondered if anyone had any advice or useful things to know? Also, what are the things not to be missed in Edinburgh for DD and us as visiting parents?

She's studying Sustainable development and needs to chose another subject, socialogy, anthropology, georgraphy or politics. She plays violin, likes reading, walks, going for coffee, tells me she's not that interested in partying, but loves friends so won't want to miss out.

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Jodri · 16/08/2019 09:50

Congratulations to your daughter!
My dd is at Edinburgh uni going into 2nd year and loving it. Her advice is to make the most of welcome week, there is so much that goes on she’ll be spoilt for choice, just like the city. They really do cater for everyone. The uni have some fab orchestras catering for all styles; check out the societies pages. She’ll enjoy blackwells bookshop across from old college too.
My dd isn’t into partying either, she was still 17 when she went and couldn’t get into city pubs anyway as they often ID on entry, so she stuck to the union. My dd would recommend getting along to a ceilidh for some Scottish country dancing. Once she’s found her feet, go visit and get her to be your guide 😊.
My dd didn’t have any choice in her subjects so cannot recommend any choices but on the uni web pages there are detailed course content which should help her choose but her personal tutor will help.
My dd put herself forward for a class rep position (think she just had to write a paragraph about why she wanted it) in the department where she is studying and enjoyed the responsibility and got to meet folk on her course through the training they get.
Enjoy xx

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Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 16/08/2019 12:43

Hi

My Dd has just finished 2nd year and is off abroad for 3rd year.

She got involved with a Uni choir, joined the Uni sports centre (The Pleasance) and was class rep in 1st year and faculty rep in 2nd year which gave her lots of contacts and extra credit.

Dd also got a pt job in a shop in Princes Street which gave her another group of friends.

It's a great Uni but as it's not on a campus, the whole city is available to students. It's a great choice although I did grow up in Edinburgh so I may be a bit biased.

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ifonly4 · 16/08/2019 20:34

Thanks so much for your replies and glad to hear your DDs have settled in well.

Yes, she'll certainly be up for orchestra, string quartet, choir as she's been on a music scholarship (although chosen a different uni course). Also, sustainability society as she's studying that.

She'll have ID, but end of August birthday and petite so sure to get checked. Good to know over jobs, as she'll have to get a few hours.

We won't be able to go up too much, but yes plan to visit and make the most of Edinburgh and surrounding area. Surely Edinburgh is going to be colder than down south, as I'll have to buy some new clothes up there as well!!

Not sure she's got the confidence to take an a uni position straight away, but she's been a peer mentor at her last two schools (with training for child abuse issues last time), so I think she'd be up for supporting others settling in, needing to talk in the future.

Having a little wobbly over going catered, as it's not the done thing to eat on your own at her school and wondering if it'll be the same at uni. I'm sure it'll all work out though.

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readsalotgirl63 · 16/08/2019 21:31

I'm sure she'll be fine. Edinburgh is a beautiful city with lots going on - and I say that as a Glaswegian !

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ifonly4 · 19/08/2019 10:41

We only had a brief visit before, but looking forward to seeing more of Edinburgh myself. So much history, places of interest and shops[smil]

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LizziesTwin · 06/09/2019 17:49

Please could anyone with experience help, we can't find any information about dropping off by car at Pollock Halls? Any tips you can share would be gratefully received.

Thank you

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Jodri · 06/09/2019 18:55

It is so well organised at pollock (well we thought so last year). Just as you turn in there is a wee booth where a member of staff will ask which hall dc is staying and he will direct you. A one way system was operating last year (we exited out onto Dalkeith road down from commonwealth pool) and lots of folk are about to direct and there was adequate parking for all vehicles. Lots of senior residents about to ask for help and willing to carry bags too. We parked with a pick up truck with no problem. It will be busy but just go canny and be aware of blocking in others (they’ll soon tell folk when they are and ask them to move on). We had lots of time to get my dd unpacked and her room sorted. We then drove to George square, found parking in buccleuch place (you’ll have to pay) we had lunch together at a pub/restaurant the other side of George square then my dd picked up her freshers wrist band in teviot while we looked around the university shop. She then got talking to some other freshers and it was our time to go. Hope that helps. Xx

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LizziesTwin · 06/09/2019 19:18

Thank you that’s exactly the sort of information I’ve been looking for. Very kind of you to give us such a full answer.

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ifonly4 · 06/09/2019 21:34

LizziesTwin I phoned ahead as we're coming from down south with a 7m+ motorhome. Lady didn't bat an eyelid, told us ambassadors would be there to assist and we might be directed to a coach bay.

Good luck for tomorrow. Which hall is your DC in? Chancellor's here.

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LizziesTwin · 07/09/2019 19:52

We dropped off around 3:15, smooth journey and happy daughter. Thank you so much @Jodri for your advice, we are having dinner without her tonight & hoping to have brunch with her tomorrow.

She’s in Ewing @ifonly4

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ifonly4 · 09/09/2019 21:10

LizziesTwin Hope your DD is ok. DD hasn't really been doing much organised by halls or Freshers but seems to be meeting others she likes in corridor and on her course

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LizziesTwin · 10/09/2019 03:19

I hope your D is finding her feet. Dd has been out all 3 nights and been running. I hope she’s doing enough of the meeting people on her course, I know she’s met people in her hall (smaller than Chancellor’s) in the common room. She’s looking forward to the Sports Fair later on in the week. Yesterday she was too busy to communicate beyond saying she was fine as she needed to have a shower. She’s a keen runner & plays a sport at a high level so wants to make sure she’s fit for trials.

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ifonly4 · 10/09/2019 10:47

Glad to hear your DD seems to be settling in. My DD is getting on really well with her room mate and girl next door. She meant another girl on her course yesterday, in same halls, who she liked. DD thinks she's got freshers flu, bad cold and was sick last night. She was going to try and make it to the first talk for her other subject today and I think she'll just crash out today.