Finding Your Crowd Away From The Crowd

Freshers’ Week can be an overwhelming time. With a plethora of parties each night, hundreds of new Snapchat friends, and the chaos of visa checks and advisor meetings, meeting new people may be the last thing on your mind. However, there’s lots of options for nights (or days out) besides parties, all good ways to meet new people, try new things, and find your place at St Andrews. 

Perhaps one of the most well-known is the Caledonian Society’s reeling practices. Reeling is a type of Scottish country dance, performed with a partner, and consisting of repeated ‘setting’ steps and travelling figures in groups.  Not only is this a great way to get some exercise and meet other students of all backgrounds and ages, it’s also the perfect way to immerse yourself in Scottish culture and tradition and celebrate your arrival at St Andrews. Practice dates are posted on their Instagram (@caledoniansocietystandrews), and the group hosts two highly popular balls, within the Martinmas and Candlemas semesters. 

Another highly anticipated weekly event is Jazz Night, which takes place every Thursday night at the Union. Hosted by Jazz Works, the evening is set up in an open mic style, encouraging students to perform. Jazz Night is a great way to get out in the evening, but offers a more mellow vibe than other Freshers’ Week events. 

When it comes down to it, the pub is the quintessential St Andrews night out. However, packed with freshers heading to nights at the Vic and older students celebrating their return, they can get pretty packed the first few weeks of the school year. Finding a pub quiz, especially one hosted by a society or hall, can be a great way to connect with people with similar interests, while also getting to know different societies and pubs in town. 

The Dog Walking Society is a great way to cure any lingering homesickness and get some fresh sea air after inhaling the beer and BO smell of the Vic four nights in a row. Explore the town with a furry companion and chat with new friends along the walk. It’s really a no-lose situation. 

St Andrews also is host to over 25 cultural societies. From MENA to Afro-Caribbean to Italian Society, embrace the international nature of St Andrews; these are a great opportunity to connect with others from your homeland at regular events. Often featuring native food and drinks, it’s another great way to ease any homesickness and help build a community for the next four years at St Andrews. 

If you’re an eager athlete, there’s plenty of options as well. Through the Sports Centre, members can join a sports team or take weekly classes. Societies like Surfing and Snow Sports are particularly popular for their social memberships and annual trips. 

Yoga Society also hosts regular free classes for members, and other societies, like EmpowHer, also host movement-centred activities. Recent events have included a pole dancing workshop, a dance aerobics workout, and a floor-barre class. Not only is it an important habit to build into your routine before classes get too intense, but there’s also no better way to bond with others than over a good workout.

For the ultra-outdoorsy, Breakaway is the University's Hillwalking Club. Regardless of ability, they take trips to the Highlands every summer and across Scotland throughout the year. Not only will you get the chance to see the beautiful sights of Scotland, but the only better way to bond than a workout class is a camping trip; you’ll get very close, very quick. 

One of St Andrews’ best features is its wealth of societies and social offerings for students of all backgrounds. Whether you’re looking to make new friends, spend time with existing ones, or just take a break from the chaos of Freshers’ Week, it’s easy to find events that align with your interests at the Freshers Fayre or on Instagram. And who knows, you might just find yourself at the start of an amazing four years. 

Illustration by Sandra Palazuelos Garcia