As I am about to finish my course, I see my friends from the University getting all nostalgic about how they are going to miss university life and the friends they made during their time at the university.
Very recently, I got a chance to attend the winter graduation event for my friends, it made me ponder over a few things, we might never get a chance to rejoice the little events creating life-long memories for us to cherish. Being an international student studying here, I did not only get a taste of Scottish culture but discovered so many new aspects of a different culture which I would have never known if I hadn’t participated in the social events.
With this post, I encourage my friends and future uni aspirants and the ones who are yet to graduate, please take out some time to explore things around you and make the most of your time, as it will build a lot of memories for you when you look back, besides your academic career.
Most of us want to enjoy student life, but when external factors like study stress, assignment deadlines start to kick -in, we fall into the stress zone. We get stuck in the loop of wanting to go out, socialise, explore but keep on postponing them to manage time and in the end we sometimes fail to manage both, and regret missing out on things. We all go through the same process but it is important for our sanity that we also take time to unwind and keep ourselves some break only to return back refreshed.
1.) Freshers Week Activities – Do Not Miss Any Of Them
The university organises a week-long fresher’s events welcoming students from every part of the world in September and January. In these events you could get maximum information about university life, covering campus tours, library tours and accommodation support. Besides all this, you get to attend so many events giving you a taste of Scottish Culture and lets you make new friends in the new environment.
2.) City Bus Tours
In partnership with Xplore Dundee, DUSA offers a special tour for the university students, giving a view of the City Centre and the West End using the open-top buses. The tour includes an entertaining commentary which chats about local landmarks, hang-out spots and campus highlights. Tours run daily from outside the DUSA building during Freshers’ Week. Xplore Dundee also offers an open-top sightseeing tour which runs daily during April until September.
3.) Social Events
University along with DUSA offers a wide range of social events for students every year. Lunch, webinars, Guest Lectures, Friends International gathering at Church every Saturday, recurring events at DUSA gives you a lot of opportunity to break the monotony and step out to meet new people.
4.) Society Events
DUSA offers a list of over 200 societies, you can join any of them as per your interest and you can join more than one if you want. Being an Indian,I have joined Indian Society and to learn a new skill, I became a part of the Latin Dance Society. You can explore the range of events organised by over 200 societies every year here at DUSA.
5.) Volunteering Opportunities
The university and DUSA also offer a lot of volunteering opportunities which can help give you a chance to work in a new environment and give a boost to your CV.
6.) Participate in Cultural Activities
I recently participated in DUSA’s Got Talent and performed singing, I was super amazed by seeing other performances. Cultural activities are a part of student life and it gives you a break from other stressful things. You or your friends may like to participate in such events and bring your friends along with you and have a great time together.
7.) Halloween
Every year on 31 October, the UK celebrates Halloween. People dress-up representing spooky characters, tell ghost stories, decorate the entrance of their homes with skeletons and all things that can give you chills. It is worth experiencing if you have never witnessed such things in your country.
8.) Karaoke Nights
This one is everyone’s favourite, well most of the students enjoy Karaoke nights or at least love being a part of it with friends. DUSA organises regular Karaoke nights and you can attend them with your friends.
9.) Ceilidh Dance
A Ceilidh is a traditional form of Scottish or Irish social gathering. It usually involves dancing and playing Gaelic folk music, either at a house party or a larger concert at a social hall or other community gathering place. You will experience Ceilidh dance in the fresher’s welcome week, DUSA events, society events and Hooley during Christmas.
10.) Skill Improvement Workshops
The University and DUSA organise regular up-skilling sessions to help with your academics, and many other skills. You can make the most of it by attending such masterclasses and workshops.
If you combine all the events during your time in the university, you will realise it adds a lot to your personality towards the end of your course by the time you graduate. I hope you make the most of your time while studying, gather memories and keep finding ways to socialise and meet new people.
Priyanka Joshi is a web content writer and advice & support officer at DUSA.
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