Welcome to RGU! We have collected a selection of student blogs that will help you settle in at university, from inspiring testimonials to handy tips and tricks to make the most of your first few weeks. Browse all our blogs below.
5 things I wish I knew before starting university
RGU alumna Marisa discusses 5 things she wish she knew before starting university, covering allareas from using the bus services to making friends with locals. In this blog post I will share with you 5 things I wish I knew before starting university. There are obviously many more things to do while at university, however these are some of the…
How support at RGU helped me settle in after moving from Mexico
International student Oliva moved to Aberdeen to study a master’s at RGU. She shares how she took advantage of the support at RGU to adapt to her new environment, and how the university’s support services helped her academically and personally. Moving abroad to study at RGU Hi! I’m Oliva Sanchez, originally from Mexico City and currently living in Aberdeen. I…
5 things to do as a student in Aberdeen
Whether you’re living in Aberdeen for the first time or already live in our sparkling city, there’s plenty to keep you entertained in between attending university and studying. We’re talking epic outdoor adventures, delicious local food and drink, insta-worthy castles, year-round festivals and events, and of course, a vibrant nightlife scene! Here are just five of our top things you…
How to make Aberdeen your home away from home as an international student
Moving to a new country and having to adapt to a new culture can be nerve-wracking. To help you settle in Aberdeen, we asked international students at RGU their top tips on how to make the Granite City your home away from home. 1. Create a community of international students RGU has a huge international community as the university welcomes…
My top 5 tips for moving into student accommodation
Moving into RGU accommodation is a great choice as you will meet plenty of other students who are on the same journey as you are! RGU student Frankie shares five tips to make the most out of your time in student halls. 1. Find your flatmates When you apply for accommodation you get the option to join a Facebook group…
Top tips to make friends at university
Moving away from home and making friends at university can be a daunting idea. Research shows it takes about 40 to 60 hours to create a casual friendship, 80 to 100 hours to develop an established friendship, and about 200 hours to become “good friends.” Stepping out of your comfort zone can be stressful even for the most confident among…
Shopping for African food in Aberdeen
As an international student moving to or living in Aberdeen, you might wonder if you will be able to cook traditional food from your home country. RGU student Ibidunni Awe, from Nigeria, shares a few tips on where to find African food in Aberdeen, which may be easier than you thought! RGU is not affiliated with and does not endorse…
A Beginner’s Guide to Doric
Aye, aye, fit like? Fit div you ken aboot Doric? Dinna fash yersel, just hae a wee read o’ this tae ken mair: (Hello, what do you know about Doric? Don’t worry, just read this to find out more:) What is Doric? While English is the main language spoken in Scotland, the nation has a wide range of different accents and…
Explore Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire through surprising facts
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have a rich history, with unique attractions, landmarks and locations. While studying at RGU, you will have plenty of opportunities to explore the city and the region. To help you start, here is a list of surprising facts that will inspire you to embark on your own Aberdeen adventure! There are more castles per acre in Aberdeenshire…
Home away from home: Living in student accommodation at RGU
Master’s student Jhulia moved from Brazil to come study in Aberdeen and has been living in Ramsay Development, one of RGU’s student accommodation sites. She shares her experience moving into a new home and the benefits of living in halls. Planning my move into student accommodation I am a Brazilian student currently living in Scotland where I’m pursuing a Master’s…
How I boost my employability as an international student
Priscilla moved from Nigeria to Aberdeen to study a master’s in Pharmacy and has since been learning new skills and boosting her employability by taking advantage of the opportunities available at RGU. It’s one thing to study at university, it’s another thing to finish strong and well-equipped to face the workplace environment. RGU has demonstrated over the years that students…
LGBTQ+ life in Aberdeen
As the happiest city to live in the UK (Shawbrook Bank 2021), Aberdeen is an inclusive, diverse, and safe city. But how exactly is Aberdeen celebrating and supporting its LGBTQ+ community? Find out all about LGBTQ+ groups, venues, and events in this blog. RGU is not affiliated with and does not endorse any of the businesses listed in the post.…
How to handle culture shock as an International Student in Aberdeen
RGU welcomes students from 153 countries, so if you feel a bit lost after moving from your home country to Aberdeen, you’re probably not the only one! Experiencing culture shock is perfectly normal but there are some things you can do to settle in and make sure you have the best time possible at university. International student Unwana share her…
Travelling to and from Aberdeen when studying at RGU
If you’re thinking about studying at RGU, you may wonder where Aberdeen is in Scotland. And if you’re already a student here, you might be wondering what you can do nearby and how you can travel to other exciting locations direct from Aberdeen. But travelling to and from Aberdeen is easy! Here are some of your frequently asked travel questions…
Best study spots in Aberdeen
It can be hard to stay motivated when studying at home with so many distractions around. Working on your coursework and exams on campus, in a coffee shop or in a library gives you a change of scenery and has the added bonus of providing a warm environment without having to break the bank. Find out from our students what…
5 popular food spots in Aberdeen for students
Aberdeen has a unique food scene, with an international offering. We asked RGU students and alumni on Instagram what their favourite food spots in the Granite City are. Read this blog to discover five of the venues they recommended. RGU is not affiliated with and does not endorse any of the businesses listed in the post. This post contains no…
Top tips for students starting at RGU
Starting university can be scary, but with the right support and advice it can be way easier to settle in. We asked our Instagram community to share their tips for new students starting at RGU this September. Find out more in this blog! Choose an early bus to get to campus RGU student Emma shares an important piece of advice:…
Bridging the distance: Staying connected with loved ones across borders
International student Vasiliki shares her top tips to stay in touch with loved ones back home while studying at RGU. Setting off to explore a new country is like stepping into a whole new world of excitement and possibilities. But let’s be real, being far from the familiar faces of friends and family back home can be really hard. Luckily,…
Top tips to make new friends abroad
Painting student Vasiliki shares advice for international students in Aberdeen or those seeking to study abroad to meet new people and make friends. Here are her top tips to navigating new connections in unfamiliar land: Hey there! Venturing into unfamiliar territory is an exciting ride filled with opportunities for growth and discovery. But let’s face it, finding friends in a…
My experience with careers support at RGU
Cyber Security student Jared shares the wide range of careers support available at RGU and his experience reaching out for help to develop professionally. A bit about me My name is Jared and I’ve studied at RGU for nearly 5 years now. I’d always planned to study at university after I left school, but it wasn’t until 6th year that…
How do I manage my stress while studying at RGU?
Hi! I’m Steph Buchan, a third-year International Business Management student at Aberdeen Business School, RGU. It’s now coming up to exam season so I thought I should share some of my tips for managing stress. Here are my top nine: Don’t skip meals 🍝 During exam season I often forget or feel too busy to eat. What helps me not…
How to manage your budget at university
Who is better to offer you advice about how to manage your budget at university than RGU students themselves! We spoke to some of our RGU student ambassadors to find out what their best tips and advice are to make that British Pound stretch a little further. Managing your budget at university and keeping track of your costs is an…
Volunteering at RGU Students’ Union
Going to university isn’t just about studying, there are also many opportunities available to try new things, meet new people and make the most of your time at RGU. Why not get involved and spend some time volunteering and giving back to the community during your time here? Grace and Jo from the RGU:Union share everything you need to know…
7 Simple and Affordable Ways to Stay Healthy as a Student
There is a common misconception that to be healthy, you have to spend a fortune. Over the course of my studies at RGU, I have gained a wealth of simple and affordable tips to remain healthy at university. Here are my top seven tips for students on how to stay fit physically and mentally… Meal prep If you’re only going…
Four Things I’d Tell My Fresher Self About Moving Away to University
Fourth-year Fashion Management Rachel left the Highlands to study at RGU in Aberdeen and now shares her top tips when moving away to university, with specific insights on Aberdeen and why it is a great student city. It sounds cliché, but your time at university really does go in a flash. Between studying, socialising and attempting to navigate independent life…
Top tips to make friends when starting university as an international student
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering student Zaid moved from his home country to Aberdeen to start his academic journey at RGU and shares his tried and tested techniques to make friends when starting from scratch. When I first arrived in Aberdeen, I thought making friends would be a pretty daunting task as it was a pretty big move going from an…