My First Year at St Andrews

I thought what I would do for my first blog post was give a quick round up of my first academic year and share what I got up to in the most adorable seaside town ever - St Andrews! I have just completed my first year at St Andrews University in Scotland and I have honestly had the best time! 

I couldn't talk about my year without mentioning the people I have met. Since moving to St Andrews I have made some amazing new friends. The girls have made the movement from High School, where I was so comfortable in my daily routine, to University, where everything was the polar opposite, much easier. I would never describe myself as a particularly nervous person but there is no doubt that the days leading up to my move were tense. Everything was a complete mixture of nervous excitement. 

However, it wasn't long before I had settled into my new life. It's amazing how quickly you can feel 100% relaxed with new people. I feel like I have known the girls all my life. It's crazy when you realise that ten months ago you had no idea who they were. They lived in a different city from me and had an entirely different life! 

Despite our short period of friendship, we all went to Paris for our Spring Break in March which was amazing! That was the first time I had properly been abroad myself without my family. It was a fantastic trip and I'm so happy I got to experience Paris with those girls (although not getting to Disneyland was traumatic!) Paris is a beautiful and inspiring city. The history, the architecture, and most importantly the fashion, are all exquisite. I can't think of a more spectacular place to spend your first holiday as four new friends. I was so happy when we went to Paris. I was utterly delighted with everything in my life. I think that was the first time I noticed that being 'emotionally balanced', or to be honest, just head over heels for someone, can make the whole world seem lighter. 

Back at university, St Andrews offered many formal balls that of course I jumped at the chance of attending. Throughout the year I attended four formal balls and each obviously required a new dress. It would be a lie to say that the thought of dressing up and playing Cinderella at a ball doesn't have me emptying my student account on a new Coast dress faster than you can say 'Bibbity Bobbity Boo'. Although, unlike Cinderella, I have to con my mother into financing my princess antics and there have been times when a new pair of heels has meant I had to live on dry toast for a few nights. (a la Carrie Bradshaw - sometimes you got to feed yourself with fashion!) I have to say that it is disappointing that the formal balls at St Andrews are less ballroom dancing with your prince and more blisters from a rave in high heels. Even the balls with ceilidh dancing can be disappointing - I don't want to strip the willow in a mid-length 1950's inspired fit and flare dress! But frequent formal balls are simply one of St Andrews small town charms and I would much rather be in a converted barn venue dolled up like Kate Middleton than falling out of a nightclub at 3 am.

Anyway, enough of my late night reminiscing and rambling. Choosing to study at St Andrews University, as cringe as it sounds, has been the best decision of my life. It's not always been fun. I guess you could say I have had some low periods of loneliness and my fair share of problems in my personal life but mostly I am 100% happy in St Andrews and I love that little seaside getaway.