St Andrews

[IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere]

DD has received a very good offer from St Andrews. She loves the look of the course and is very keen to go there. Aside from the course she loves the idea of a small town, has no interest in nightlife as part of the "student experience" and loves the quirky traditions.

Does anyone have any experience of being there and the extra expenses that could be involved such as the extra cost of travel, formal dinners and the like?

We are a low income family in an economically deprived area. She is part of a very small 6th form - 12 in the Upper 6th. Her school is not in special measures but is holding on by the skin of its teeth! They are very keen for her to go to St Andrews but she is not going to be their responsibility!

We will support her as much as we possibly can but I am worried that it will be a lot more expensive than a less elite university.

Any thoughts?

@haggisaggis my dd is catered too. We love St Andrew's and are also only an hour away.

We're only about an hour away too, i always think??? When people talk about it being remote! Although, saying that the only direct bus service DS can use to get home has just been cancelled by Stagecoach under cover of Covid 19🙁

Do you know if they are on catered option at ABH do they have access to a fridge? Just for milk or drinks. I know some unis allow students to have their own mini fridges but they’re on the banned list at St. A. I think dd has everything she needs for her room - just need her to buy some clothes! Must be an unusual girl who hates shopping. (mind you takes after me there). We did the ritual Ikea trip but to be honest had a better choice and just as cheap, if not cheaper, from Tesco.

I am sure there is a shared kitchen as even if they are catered they need to make dinner on Saturday and Sunday night. We only have a duvet to buy now so will do that tomorrow as we are having a week at a cottage in north Yorkshire next week before she goes. I am not looking forward to an empty nest but at the same time I am so excited for her.

There are good kitchens at ABH, we did the tour and a lot of people there are S/C and I think they all have access to the same sort of kitchens.

DD has been offered Andrew Melville hall which was first preference. Phew! Although we do now need to shop for new bedding.

If anyone's child is studying physics, I know that there's a WhatsApp group established already (according to DD)

She, like me, is a Facebook refusnik so that's where Apis making connections

Glad to hear that something is going her way @AChickenCalledDaal, and this supports my theory that they are working through to standard catered. I think the advice is to not bother with "small double" sheets and tuck it in a bit more, but just use double as she may have a double next year. DS is going to have to get used to a single bed in Uni Hall, but taking a double duvet anyway.

How is she feeling about St A?

St. Andrews is my most favourite place on earth. I have no experience as a student but do live in dundee and regularly holiday in St Andrews in our caravan.

For parents looking to book accommodation for settling your kids in, there is a nice Premier Inn central. Will probably be booked up quick though during settling in days. If you don't mind a more 'basic' stay check out some of the campsites in St Andrews, many have glamping pods, lodges or statics available. Check out Cairnsmill caravan park first (our favourite). If anyone needs ideas about accommodation
In Dundee, I'm happy to point you towards the nicer ones

@Monkey1001 Thanks for the bedding tip. I think DD would still like to have the extra month at home which would have gone with a Cambridge place, but otherwise has adjusted fine and we're moving ahead full steam. Getting a room feels good and the fact it's in first choice is a massive bonus. DD has now admitted to being relieved that it's catered and there is no need to handle shopping and cooking just yet!

Alex drake lovely post thanks!

Accom dept have said everyone will know by end of this week so not too long now

@AChickenCalledDaal so glad your Dd got her 1st choice accommodation. It must be hard to adjust your head to going in a few short weeks. My dd has known since February so I think mentally moved some time ago. Me on the other hand am a bit like an ostrich and trying not to think about her going to much.

@Newgirls Thanks for the update! I will tell my son to keep an eye on his emails.

I started this thread and feel a little sad that it is no longer relevant to us :-( My daughter got her grades last week and they were heavily marked down so she was rejected but content with her second choice.

Then came the announcement that they would receive their CAG's and she was convinced that she would not get the A she needed. However the school phoned on Tuesday and confirmed she had straight A's. After a mini meltdown and panic she has decided that a thirteen hour journey each way is too far from home.

All the best to you all and your DC's. Part of me still wishes she would be joining them but I am also relieved that she won't be so far away.

@IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere

What a tumultuous experience. I hope your daughter will be happy wherever she’s off to - all the best to her.

I think my DD chose St A to get as far away from her family as possible

@IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere what a roller coaster ride your poor DD has had. Wishing her much happiness in her chosen university and glad you get to keep her a little closer to home.

Thanks for starting us of and for the update.

If she is all sorted great! If still wavering have you looked at flying from wherever you are? Not very eco but quick.

She will love wherever she goes - they just need to start dont they!

@IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere at least the decision was her choice in the end and she can be proud of achieving the grades she deserved.

Flying isn't really an option - four hours to our nearest airport by public transport.

I am really reluctant to push her. She had a major wobble at the start of lockdown because she felt under so much pressure from the school (tiny 6th form in a very poor area) and we didn't want to add to that.

I think there will always be a part of me that thinks "What if?" but her happiness and confidence are more important than my daydreams :-)

Oh sounds like absolutely the right decision x

Hello IThinkISaw and very best wishes to you and your DD. From the perspective of a fellow insurance offer holder I agree that they just need to get on with it now. The roller coaster of results is not helpful.

We had a brief "what if" moment last night when the news was speculating about whether all universities should confirm first choice places and DD was quite clear that she doesn't want to look back now. It sounds like your DD is in a similar frame of mind. Onwards and upwards ... and having her closer will definitely be a bonus.

@IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere i know what you mean about daydreams, I took DS to visit Oxford but he didn't like it and didnt want to be so far from home. He didnt have my romantic notions about it not having read countless books set in Oxford colleges so wasn't bothered. He knew what he would be comfortable with and he was right! They may be young and inexperienced but their instincts are often good. Good luck to your DD.

Have your DCs found the St Andrews Freshers 2020 Facebook page? Looks like events start this Monday.

There is a family "Bejant" event on Monday - Bejants are 1st years at St A.

DS not on FB and we have not signed up.

They have a family support thing as well, which is nice of them - suspect it is because they are after family money! I have registered for an event after he has started.