#instandrews

#ThrowbackSeries Day 8 It’s so important to appreciate those people who really mean the world to you, which is what I've decided to do today. To me, friends are the ones who make experiences meaningful, and it would be pretty hard to do life without them. Thank you to all my friends, new and old, whether you feature in this post or not! I love you so very much and constantly look forward to catching up with you outside of time! 💜 Please forgive me if I haven't kept in touch or if you've had to wait ages for a reply. I promise you that it's not indicative of my desire to connect with you. Quite the contrary. If I don't have enough time to pay proper attention to you or your messages, I prefer to keep them aside. During this next year, I hope to engage more with my friends. To aid this intention, I will be making greater use of the wealth of VoIP services at our disposal. My goal is to bring back interactions directed by attention. Hopefully, you'll look forward to your phone ringing instead of dreading raw contact as many of us tend to do lately. #Friends #NoPlaceLikeFoam #INSTAndrews #EverToExcel #StAndrews #StudentLife (at St Andrews) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnCl6xygMkl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=il5z14m3ewx2

#ThrowbackSeries Day 7 With the University of St Andrews being the 3rd oldest uni in the English speaking world, we have quite a number of traditions. I have told you about some of them already, such as our Academic Families and Raisin Weekend, and have decided to cover the rest today. First up is the Gaudie, which is a torch-lit Pier Walk the night before May Dip. Regular Pier Walks take place every Sunday, after the chapel service. We all gather in St Salvator's Quad, walk to and along the pier and then back along the slightly higher section. The Gaudie takes place at sunset and serves to honour a former student, named John Honey, for saving five sailors who shipwrecked off the coast in the 1800s. Usually, all-night parties and beach bonfires follow the Gaudie so that everyone is ready for May Dip. May Dip takes place on May Day (the 1st of May) each year and entails running into the freezing North Sea at sunrise. We do this to cleanse ourselves of any academic sins, such as stepping on the spot where Patrick Hamilton was burnt at the stake for heresy or buttoning up our gowns. These red, undergraduate gowns are a common sight at all our events, as I'm sure is obvious. They were compulsory when most students were around 13, and used for identifying them in the town, but aren't any longer. We mostly wear them for formal occasions now. I attended the installation of our 53rd Rector, Srdja Popovic, in a red gown. The ceremony was followed by an academic procession, which is what I've shared a photo of. I've also included a photo of a newer tradition, called soakings. That's where graduating students are doused with water after their final exam. I did some dousing; it was fun! And as if there hasn't been enough water already, I did a Pier Jump at the end of the semester. I'd like to end with an honorary mention of the bonfires which happen quite regularly on the beaches bounding the town. They're not formal traditions, but I think they're one of the things which set us apart. We all huddle around a fire and chat the night away – I think there's something so pure about that. #Tradition #NoPlaceLikeFoam #INSTAndrews #EverToExcel #StAndrews #StudentLife (at St Andrews)

#ThrowbackSeries Day 6 Like most other people during their first year in St Andrews, I stayed in one of the University halls. McIntosh Hall very quickly became my home away from home and now houses a plethora of memories. There were a whole 260 odd people who played a role in the memory-making process and Sarah, Fiona, Courtney and Joe were responsible for taking care of all of us (well, sort of). They made up the McIntosh Wardennial Team and provided all the support we could possibly need. From the first day, when Joe got me settled after arriving at one in the morning, to the very last day when they saw me off, they were kind friendly and helpful. They also planned the best wine (or juice) and cheese evenings! Aside from the wardennial events, there were plenty of other opportunities to have fun and make new friends in McIntosh – Hall Sports being one of them. At Hall Sports events all the different halls compete against each other. We usually had at least one event per week, and if my schedule allowed, I wouldn't miss it. I know that's rather out of character, but no experience (or hand-eye coordination) was necessary, which made it loads of fun! Our hall's committee helped make Hall Sports as good as it was. And in addition to that, they organised a wealth of other events in McIntosh such as a murder mystery night and our Hall Ball. There was at least one committee event each week (usually many more), however, when they did not suffice, we created our own fun. Usually, taking the form of Cluedo nights (or some other board game), but also managing a scavenger hunt (yes, in the hall – it's BIG), and on one occasion, making a Harry Potter parody video about the main staircase (a work of art you can request to view in person). McIntosh has treated me so well that it will be my home for another year and I cannot wait for all the memories which are to come! [Side note: Eleanor and Adam were crowned the McIntosh King and Queen after winning the scavenger hunt.] #McIntoshHall #NoPlaceLikeFoam #INSTAndrews #EverToExcel #StAndrews #StudentLife (at McIntosh Hall)

#ThrowbackSeries Day 4 Amongst all the adventuring and fun times with friends, I have actually been doing a lot of studying too. University needed quite the adjustment because of how much independent learning is required. As a result, I could often be found in one of the McIntosh (my hall) study rooms (I can be seen sitting in the green one), the maths building, or one of the libraries around town (the King James library is my favourite, but unfortunately it’s not pictured here). On one occasion, Eleanor and I were so eager to learn things that we were the first ones in the Main Library (on a Saturday) so we took a selfie to commemorate the occasion. The Main Library is our go-to if we’re studying late at night, especially during exam season, when we would venture out together after dinner. I think part of the attraction was the free coffee, tea and doughnuts. When it wasn’t exam season, I usually had lectures every day, giving me the opportunity to experience the gorgeous walk to the North Haugh at least once a day (a glimpse of which is captured). After about a day or two of lectures, I had usually decided on a friend to settle next to for the rest of term, despite all the good options. If I tried to name them all I’d definitely miss someone out, so I’ve just included one picture which I think sums up the whole experience quite well —thanks to Erin and all my other friends for sticking with me xx. And at St Andrews, we also have tutorials that take place once a week, for more focused learning. I included a picture to give you an idea of what those are like too. #Learning #NoPlaceLikeFoam #INSTAndrews #EverToExcel #StAndrews #StudentLife (at St Andrews)

#ThrowbackSeries Day 2 Today’s post goes out to my academic family who helped make the transition to St Andrews a breeze. We really are family after all the first year shenanigans and I can’t wait for all the parties and movie nights that await this next year! The photo of all of us together was taken on Raisin Monday. The parents dressed us up as doggos from 101 Dalmatians and we got Cruella as our Raisin Receipt, to gain access to the huge freshers foam fight, which explains one of the other photos. During Raisin Weekend we also took a midnight swim in the North Sea, were cooked a delicious breakfast by our mothers, sent on a scavenger hunt, and survived multiple house parties. All incredible memories! I’m already looking forward to Reverse Raisin, where the kids get to do the planning... (Special mention for Flora, who I don’t have any photos of. She’s one of our awesome aunts who always brings the party, causing us to forget about our phones completely!) #NoPlaceLikeFoam #INSTAndrews #EverToExcel #StAndrews #StudentLife (at St Andrews)

#Repost @uniofstandrews with @get_repost ・・・ This is the end of our #SCOtakeover! Thank you @uniofstandrews for hosting @scottishchamberorchestra and their residency in St Andrews! So long and farewell... #mySCO #evertoexcel #noplacelikefoam #INSTAndrews #music #orchestra (at University of St Andrews)

#Repost @uniofstandrews with @get_repost ・・・ A great concert from the SCO VIBE St Andrews team tonight! Thank you to everyone who came to listen to what James, Jo, Nicholas and Will developed with @scottishchamberorchestra musicians Su-a, Phil and leader Paul Griffiths. This really has been an excellent showcase of some of the @uniofstandrews hidden student talents! #mySCO #SCOtakeover #evertoexcel #noplacelikefoam #INSTAndrews (at University of St Andrews)