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?

Has anyone anything about how many people can do drop off? DS has a big support gang dropping him off (GF, me and DH) and people at other universities have said only 1 "helper" but we would all like to see his room and help him make it homely. I did not notice any restrictions from St A, but may have missed something.

I'm sure I've seen something that says only one family member can accompany them into the residence. But I can't find it now.

Dd said same thing about only one dropping off. We wondered if it was possible to go up 1 at a time rather than all together( wearing masks ofcourse) but that probably defeats the purpose. I thought her dad could take all the stuff up then I could up and help her make it look pretty. She has a friend moving in on the 31st to DRA so I will report back on what they did/ was allowed.

Thanks @Alittlewornout

I don't know the answer about dropping off but when we finally went up in July to collect possessions in her room from last year it was a strict only 1 person and it was supervised. So as my husband hadn't seen the room - I waited outside with my other daughter . They were allocated one hour to pack up the whole room and get out.

I’m sure I read 1 person but can’t remember where. I’m sure a bit of swapping around will be possible.

I know shuttle said 1 extra only.

I really struggled at St Andrews but this was due to many factors, and was also eleven years ago now. It's a beautiful place. Student support do have a fund for low income students, or did when I was there, as the loan didn't cover everything.

I struggled because I am autistic. I'm also a comprehensive school girl, and I felt there was a bit of a class divide, however I made many good friends there.

There were a lot of Tory yah types too, but it was interesting to meet people like that. The debating society was nuts. Really old fashioned and for me, very exciting as I'd never seen anything like it. I loved the mad old traditions but always felt a bit outside of them if that makes sense? Like they were interesting and beautiful but not quite for me.

Feel free to message me if you like? Xx

Oh,and you don't need a gown. You can still go to the lovely carol service at Salvatore's without one, although I loved watching the choir processing up with their gowns. As I say, I'd never seen anything like these traditions before and it all seemed surreal and magical.

@Brexitbingogenerator I love that quote about your heart always being in those three grey streets.

@MHMD I was in Wardlaw too. A beautiful corner room with a low ceiling.

Finally! Accommodation confirmed! St Regulus - DS very pleased. We arrive on the 5th so he needs to start packing! He didn’t feel like he could start organising things until he had confirmation due to all the stories re. cancelled accommodation etc. I feel a trip to Dunelm coming on!

Great news @Dahliafairy - assume he is not doing a science subject if he is living in town.

Is that everybody on here sorted with accommodation now?

@Monkey2001 Management and Economics- it’s a bit of a walk to the management building but he’s walked a couple of miles to school and back for the last 7 years so I don’t think it’ll bother him. Nothing in St Andrews seems too far away anyway. Relieved he’s got a roof over his head - I feel so sorry for those students who cannot get accommodation. It’s such a difficult situation for all involved.

My DD was Regsand was at the Medicine building - wasn't the closet but still not far compared to other unis- it was a more of a rush after dinner to get to sport practices in time . she will miss being in Regs.

Great news @Dahliafairy re accommodation. I am really feeling for the international students without accommodation. I think they may need to look a little further afield as accommodation in St Andrew's is limited at the best of times. As a heads up the kids need to be on it by Jan or Feb for accommodation for the September it's quite stressful to be honest but my ds always got there in the end.

That's s great that acconidation is being sorted.
I think I'll walk away from that parents Facebook page, its a bit intense, I had to sit on my hands when an American tried to explain Scottish education to me... Never a popular move...

Can I just say what a nice thread this is!

Dahlia phew!! Sorted! I did think it was taking some time... regs looks very swish very exciting 😀

Thanks for the insight fossil - the traditions do seem quite something but hopefully memorable. Not sure many teens experience cloaks etc all very surreal

Thanks everyone - I had to take a step away from reading about St Andrews over the weekend as the varying reports of accommodation struggles was sending my anxiety sky high! Anyway - all sorted now, first instalment paid and gown ordered! Getting very real now (and exciting!) When are all your DC moving in? x

Sunday here

Pretty sure we haven’t paid anything yet - will check with dd

@Newgirls - I think the accommodation payment is due on the 7th - we’re paying in 4 instalments but you can do 2 or all at once!

Dd completed matriculation last night so another thing ticked off the list. She is very excited but I can also tell nerves are setting in. Me on the otherhand was up and awake in the middle of the night pondering on the big change my life is about to have. I have spent my whole adult life caring for people at work and home. My last elderly relative died in Feb we were very close so I think some of my feelings are related to that. I have in the last year joined a couple of things in preparation for this and my lovely friends have got me booked in for meet ups throughout September. I need to give myself a shake because when they were little if anyone said my kids would become the wonderful young people they are I am not sure I would have believed them. Sorry for the long post just having a wobble.

A little worn - it is a huge change. It’s fab that you have pals lined up to see. Are you able to take a break somewhere too?

I am feeling very out of sorts with it all. Dd is very subdued today chewing it all over. She just really needs to start now to see that covid masks etc will not spoil it all and that being with loads of other bright teens will be so worth it.

Me I really need to book some things in!

Thanks @Newgirls glad its not just me. Yes out of sorts is the very phrase to describe me and dd.
We are going away for a few days at the beginning of October so that is something to look forward to.
Yes do get stuffed booked in I think it does them good to know that mum has a life and is busy and that our whole world doent revolve around them( even though it really does!

Hugs everyone - it will be a big change for us all. I will still have DD at home for another couple of years so the blow is softened slightly. We have booked a few days in Edinburgh at Oct half term and will visit DS then too. I’ve never been to Edinburgh so it’s something to look forward to especially after all the cancelled holidays this year.