Add your top tips to the page
James from Aberystwyth:
"Yes, first year as a student in Aberystwyth in a new place is wonderful, brilliant in fact there was tonnes to do because its all so shiny and fresh. But, and it's a large but, after the novelty of this place fades, it really is just a novelty, like a new toy that becomes the old one after a while. If you have any kind of aspirations with your life, come here, because you'll love it for a while - ...now the only aspiration is to get a degree so I can leave!!!"
Sarah from Aberystwyth:
"aber is fab, except the may ball!!! especially the queue!!!"
Louisa Booth from Dorset used to sing for her supper while she was at Aber.
"I paid my through aber uni by heading down to the inn on the pier. On Monday, Wednesday and Sunday they have a karaoke comp where you can win £10 (sometimes more if the famous Super Reg likes you!). They also do a 2for1 pizza which are the best in aber!"
Sian from Aberystwyth says there's one item which you shouldn't spend your money on...:
"Don't bother with umbrellas - it is too windy!"
Matt Sweet says he has the perfect recipe for an Aber pub crawl.
"Forget Tompkinson's pub crawl advice, this is the best one - Castle, Academy, Downies, Harleys, Varsity, Bar E, Beechings then Union or scrub off Beechings and go either Pier hotel and Pier pressure or Bar E then the bay. Always get 7 pubs then the club. After 3 years research its the magic number."
Rachel Naylor sent us a message about student accommodation.
"If you find yourself living in block 8 or 9 of Penbryn, don't be too upset. Once you get used to it, it isn't that bad. The reason - they are closer to Rosser and Cwrt Mawr bars and the Co-op than any other part of Penbryn!!"
Vicky from Aberystwyth also has a tip about accommodation - don't leave it until the last minute!
"When you're in the first year the best time to look for accommodation for your second is just after the Christmas break, that's when most places are avaliable and the union has issued their list of private properties. Leave it too late and it's impossible to find that house for 10!"
Steve Rich from Aberystwyth made some of his best friends at Aber
"Aberystwyth is fantastic, and what everyone has said is true - it's the atmosphere and the people! The friends I have made as a student at Aber are some of my best friends and will stay my friends for the rest of my life."
Louise has this advice for new students.
"Firstly, Aber is a brilliant place to study. The facilities are good on both campuses, although Llanbadarn could do with a bit more. A tip for freshers is to introduce yourself to people as soon as you meet them and make the most of Freshers Week."
Daniel Huntley from Aberystwyth:
"Keep Nightline's number (01970-621717) in your mobile phone - best bet for a taxi at 3am, or for last-minute condoms!"
(Nightline is a support centre run by students for students. It's open from 8.00pm - 8.00am seven nights a week during term time. For more information, see the link to their website on the right hand side of this page.)
Jen Daines has a couple of tips for new students heading to the college by the sea.
"At the beginning of term, take drawing pins and blue tac. Also head for Charlie's for cheap household stuff."
Dave Tomkinson has some advice if you're planning a pub crawl:
"The start for any pub crawl is usually, Weatherspoon's Yr Hen Orsaf. It is next to the train and bus stations and so anyone who comes to town is obliged to have a pint there. Across the road are Lord Beechings and The Cambrian. Beechings used to serve treble vodkas for 99p but they stopped it a few weeks ago. It will always be the place of (lack of) drunken memories. The Cambrian is a cocktail bar, and every birthday the lucky person must have a Death Star, which is two pints of a whole bunch of crazy stuff. Down towards the seafront you pass, firstly a cash machine, and then Bar Essential and The Varsity, both nice places for drinking in a friendly student orientated atmosphere. Once on the sea front, there are 3 choices. Either the Inn on the Pier/Pier Pressure (not suprisingly on the Pier), The Bay, or The Glen. They are all nice and offer promotions and late licenses."
For more on Aber's pubs and bars, click here.
Phillip Blenkinsop from Aberystwyth has emailed us with a word of warning for students about the dangers of the sea.
"On a serious note, I would recommend that youngsters coming to college at Aber, sometimes their first real time away from home, often from inland towns, be warned of the importance of treating the sea at Aberystwyth with the respect it deserves. Over the last few years, we have had a number of incidents of students messing about in the waves at night, during stormy weather, often after consuming a few drinks, being washed away and drowned... There are a number of favourite student pubs on the promenade, which doesn't help. The way the beach is formed near Aber is that it goes down in deep ridges (these are formed during rough weather -it's a lot safer in the summer) which means you can be a few yards out, up to your thighs in surf, but a step or two more will drop you into 12 feet of water. This is unbelievably dangerous - locals are very aware of it, but students often are not. I believe the Students Union have tried their best to highlight the dangers to students, but still the incidents occur."
Fiona from Liverpool "Always have 20 pence pieces - they're always needed for machines"
Claire Stephens"Go to the social evenings the clubs provide, because it's the best way to meet lots of people."
Adam Astley"Carry your NUS card at all times, because you'll always get money off."
Phil Walker "Check the bus timetable because it does change"
Mathew Pilsbury "Bring a plug adapter / extension lead it is much needed!"
Elen Clwyd Huws "Don't worry how much money you spend during freshers' week, because it's important to meet new friends."
Giles Donaldson "Make the most of freshers' week because it will never come again"
Nia Clwyd "If you are a Welsh-speaking student, you should stay at Pantycelyn, because it's a good way of making many friends easily."
Rhys Dart from Cardiff "My top tip would be to make an effort to involve yourself in the local community and culture whilst you're in Aber. That might mean learning some Welsh if you're a non-Welsh speaker, or going down to watch Aber Town play football or rugby for example. Aber's a very unique place and while it is possible to just stay on campus and only visit the pubs and the supermarket while you're studying here I wouldn't recommend it. I don't know may students who have been glad to get out of Aber at the end of their course, in fact all my friends seem to be trying to come back!"
your comments
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Stacey from Swansea
Im at Ffaber uni now and I love every second of it! The best advise I can give anyone is;1. Join a sport...ANY sport it doesn't matter! Its the best way to make new people and get hammered on a Wednesday!2. Go to Reload every week. Its like my spiritual home!3.Learn the numbers of the nice taxi drivers, you do not want to be walking down Penglais Hill in high heels in January!4.Hollywood pizza is the best pizza and hangover cure in the world. Fact.5.The Bay is a dive but you will have a good time. If you last there till closing then you know its been an amazing night6.Get used to drinking Cider, Have 1 admiral in Downies every week.7.Be prepared for your life to slowly turn into an episode of Skins, and that you will be living in a bubble! You cannot get away with anything in this town!8.Do an all nighter and watch the sun come up after drinking yourself senseless at Inn on the Pier.What ever happens just count yourself lucky you can wake up to gorgeous Aberystwyth!
Fri May 1 16:51:14 2009
Andrei Petre from Bucharest
Hey. I would like to hear from aber students if in the first year you can find a pretty good job..like 300 pounds/month or higher..and a place to stay..the accommodation is cheaper than an apartment ? i would like to know the conditions if possible..if someone would be so kind to mail me i'd be graceful. thanks and good luck to you all
Tue Mar 17 14:19:10 2009
Mike from Coventry
I'm in my second year of Uni now and live in a house around the corner from the Sea Front. If your unlucky enough (like me) to be living in a house in a windy area, and you only have sash (single pane) windows, then you can use cling film to keep the heat in and the wind out. I thought it was a stupid idea at first, but believe me, it works!Another thing is that you should make sure you fill in (or if renting private accomodation then ask to be provided with) any inventory lists. If you have any disputes with the accomodation office / landlord at the end of the year about%! 20any damaged areas or furniture which you know your not responsible for, then you have something to back up your claim...otherwise, expect a chuck of money to be missing from your returned deposits
Sat Dec 20 13:17:47 2008
Stuart Richardson from Milton Keynes
My best advice would be to get yourself in to one of the halls on the seafront (Cere is the best of the lot). Theres nothing like waking up and opening your curtains to a view of just the sea. People pay thousands for that elsewhere!My best tip is to do your course work during the day and then enjoy your evenings! If you dont and you spend your evenings on essays you'll only regret it when you look back on it all!
Thu Jan 17 15:05:00 2008
Welsh Mike
Hit the Admirals in Downies, £4 of heaven in a glass!!
Mon Jan 14 08:26:13 2008
Lucy - West Mids
I haven't started uni yet but will be in september. Just doing some research! I have to say reading all these tips has really cleared my mind as i was bricking it so thanx everyone.
Wed Jun 27 15:12:36 2007
Lucy - West Mids
I havnt started uni yet but will be in September. Just doing some research! I have to say reading all these tips has really cleared my mind as i was bricking it so thanx everyone.
Tue Jun 26 13:20:57 2007
Lucy from Newport, Shropshire
Aber is a brilliant place ot go to university, it is full of lovely people and lots of great pubs. Like Ollie says don't worry about the hill it's not that bad. It was the only thing that stopped me putting on weight at uni!
Fri Apr 20 09:46:27 2007
John from Liverpool
Make the effort - it's surprising how many people simply don't participate in anything and spend half their time working, and the rest sleeping or complaining about how bored they are. Even if you don't like sports or societies, go to the socials - by far the best way to meet people
Fri Feb 9 09:48:02 2007
Kathryn Glover, Morecambe
Aber is a fantastic place to study and has loads of societies to join. I ended up triple booking myself some nights because I joined so many in frshers week. If you've always wanted to learn a sport but never got the oppurtunity this is the time to do it. I started karate and fencing and I've now got my orange belt and am working on my red belt. The other students are friendly and helpful and Reload is the best.
Wed Jan 17 10:34:56 2007
Matt Jeffs, Connah's quay, Flints
Leave the car at home, Aber's great but parking's a nightmare. some of the old LX crew(2000-20004)back for a visit Nov 10-12th, looking forward to it.
Mon Oct 16 13:34:39 2006
Ollie Owen (Carmarthen & Worthing)
Aber's an ok place to live. Awful clubs, but really wicked pubs, and lots of them! Don't worry about all the fattys on this page moaning about the hill, it's not that bad, and you won't need a bus all the time! The scenery in Aber makes up for loads though, beautiful sunsets, and wicked walks to go on. Most of the people who go to uni in aber are nice enough, but we warned if you fall out with someone, you see most faces about twice a day!
Sat Sep 23 08:32:43 2006
Adrian, North Yorkshire
Aber is a wonderful place, full of fresh faced whippersnappers ready to face the world.
Don't go in the Black Lion wearing an England shirt singing "football's coming home". They have a saying, if you're cool, you leave through the door, if you're an idiot, you leave through the window.
Take about 70 forms of ID to pier video, and maybe they will let you rent a dvd.
Don't go to Yokos under any circumstances.
Go to the Bay. Chances are there's going to be someone you know in there. And it's open till silly in the morning and the drinks are cheap.
Take your own toilet seat to the union. The steal seats are cold.
If you wake up in Penbryn, you're stuck. That place is like Hell in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey.
If your toilet gets blocked. Move house.
And now the wisdom has been passed on.
Good luck.
ps - Don't go to the Milk Bar. There's a reason it's the last one in wales.
Mon Sep 4 10:30:49 2006
Dave from Newport
Forget all the other pubs, The Castle is the only place to be...especially on a Friday night, particularly the fantastically inappropriately placed dartboard...so dangerous when combined with cheap vodka.
Wed May 10 10:13:25 2006
Helen, Aber
I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Reload yet! It's excellent, a great laugh, and the music is so cheesy that you just don't care how you look and dance stupidly and have a ball! It's once-a-week must-do!
If you're gonna come to Aber, in your first year the main clubs in town are all the way down Penglais Hill, so when you're feeling a bit lazy but still wanna go out, you're likely to end up in the union. Be aware that Saturday nights are theme nights so there's a lot of fancy dress going on in Aber!
Aber is wicked - you'll have LOADS of fun if you come here.
And if you're lazy, get an Ar-Hyd-Aber card before you come, cos you get free buses up the massive hill. Although Penglais hill really isn't that bad after a while. When my friends and I first arrived, we were gasping at the end of the trek, but now it's quite easy and we're not usually out-of-breath unless you've been a fool and tried to run it. You get used to it.
Mon May 8 15:05:02 2006
Sian from Newport
Aber rocks my socks! :-D
Thu May 4 16:11:09 2006
williams
The best place to be in town is on the sea front! I lived in Avondale house (13 marina terrance) its a wicked place to live, it was like a grown up halls of residence!
Fri Feb 24 11:12:10 2006
Steven, Coleman-Williams from Aberystwyth uni
Anyone saying penbryn's cool - they don't know what they're on about. I live in Cwrt Mawr which is fairly plain and boring and thought, alright it will do. Then I met a lass from penbryn and she invited me back to hers (ask no questions!) and i swiftly invited her rouind mine instead. Really not nice accomodation but i believe they are knocking them down or refurbishing them next year any way.
Fri Jan 20 17:43:45 2006
PJ
If you haven't got some great financial contingency plans in case of an emergency such as your student loan not coming through, or not coming on time, I seriously advise you not to attend this university - last year when the students loans didn't arrive, the university had nothing to give its students but a few tins of beans.
Thu Dec 8 19:46:02 2005
Matt - Plymouth
the student alternative prospectus is great. if u havnt made your mind up, just go and look. cities are rubbish, who needs cardiff or birmingham wen u got aber
Fri Nov 4 20:47:30 2005
Jon from Bucks
Perhaps the bestest and worstest thing ever about Aber is an utter lack of dress code and standards.
Worst when you wake and find your white footwear is now brown, your jeans are covered in mud and there are twigs and leaves in your hair, then best because you realise you wrestled your mates in the mud leaving Rosser bar, and were like that before you went into the Union!
Wed Oct 26 15:09:45 2005
Matt from Gloucester
I've just started my 3 years at Aber and believe me I was petrified BUT it's all gd. One bit of advice is to be confident and speak to people. Everyone is so friendly especially 2nd and 3rd years. Aber is fantastic even if you live in the worst accomodation (cell block 8) we have the best atmosphere and we all get on so well!!!
Sat Oct 1 16:13:37 2005
Dave from Mnchester
Aber is a great place to live and study but be warned, the bus is essential if you are not an athlete or a fit person. The prospectus is deceptive with all those pictures of the university and the road to the town centre. You have no idea how steep Penglias hill is until you stand at the bottom of it looking up. As as for Llanbadarn hill is looks like a near vertical drop.
As far as recreation goes the university gym is good. the union is alright, not the best however certainly not the worst place to go. The arts centre is where everyone hangs out for a good conversation and a decent lunch. I recommend Rummers as the best bar in town and the Co-op and Spar shops are life savers especially after you've had just one too many beverages.
I found my postgrad year at Aber was one of the best i've ever experienced
Tue Sep 27 16:12:39 2005
Ben Sammerson, from Kent, ex-Aber student
If your parents come and see you unexpectedly you can impress them by taking them to lunch at Ultracomida, the deli round the corner from Academy. They can pay too so don't worry about that! It does posh parent food and will dent their wallet enough to make them think twice about another 'suprise' visit! Perfect!
Tue Sep 13 17:43:42 2005
Geoff from Lynton
The strangeones far from own this town...as mostly only a few people have heard of them. Some increased publicity will really help them to break through the other mundane bands which seem to be holding them back!
More about The StrangeOnes...
Wed Jul 13 22:38:12 2005
Joe from Lincoln
the atmosphere in the one and only Castle Pub is the best in town, it has everything a amazing dukebox, good quality pool and dart board, relaxed atmosphere and cheap double vodkas (£1.18) on wed and fri. Theres no hassle at the castle!
Fri Jun 17 13:43:28 2005
Elaine Biggs from Leamington Spa
I recommend searching for houses just before or just after Christmas and don't just settle for any old rubbish, also some landlords demand a summer retainer and some don't, so shop around.
Chicken wings from Spar are also highly recommended, as are shooters in The Mill!
Oh yeah and the bus u need to get up to campus is the 504 - couldn't survive without it!
Wed May 25 00:47:02 2005
Kirsty from Aberystwyth
You need a doorstop! It is an essential piece of social equipment in freshers week. Keeping my door open meant I made loads of friends in halls! One girl even came with an entire bag of doorstops to give to all her new friends (that's where I got mine from - thanks Jess!)
Tue May 17 11:45:24 2005
Emily, Pembrokeshire
Aber is a fab place to go to uni :) Though for those of you out there that aren't into drinking that much, don't worry :) I don't drink alcohol, so when I go out (which is regularly ;)) I tend to drink water as not only is it FREE (:D) but if you leave it unattended, then you haven't lost money on a drink if you don't go back to it or think it's been tampered with, plus it keeps you hydrated (useful when dancing the night away ;)) :) For those that think that this is not a 'sociably' good idea, when I go out I have as great a social night out as anybody - but with the advantage is I can remember it the next day (good for bribary), more money in my bank account at the end of the year (less to pay back :D) and no hangover :D BONUS :D
So join in with ALL the socials you can, have a great time and live each moment to its fullest :D
Fri Apr 29 13:55:45 2005
Thomas Callaway, Northampton
Go to the Mill Inn. I went in my first year, and left at the end of my 4th. Managed to scrape a degree sometime in between visits to this fantastic boozer!!
My friend Mick was often there as well although he was far more clever than me. xx
Wed Apr 6 12:35:24 2005
Sarah, Exeter
I can honestly say that Aberystwyth is the best place in the world! I have never had so much fun in my life since coming here last September. My top tip is to get a place on 'Sports Week' which takes place the week before freshers week. I had the time of my life and met so many legendary people! A bit of sport was done, although the 4 days did seem to revolve around getting hammered (also fun!)!
Tue Mar 1 13:06:36 2005
Caroline in Aber!!!
Get out, enjoy the hills in the day and the pubs at night. Have a ball Aber is a great place if you make the most of it!
Sun Feb 27 15:34:39 2005
James Lalor from Newcastle
Check out the best band in Aberystwyth, Doctor Strange. I had the great pleasure of living with them last year and they seriously own this town.
Tue Jan 25 13:30:29 2005
Andy And steves top tip
Hello, we are from Aber Uni! heres our top tip. Go to the glen on Mondays for 80's night! fun!!!!!
Mon Sep 27 20:03:21 2004
claire samules from cardiff
meeting the local is a good idea. there are a lot of interesting people many ex student who have stayed and its a great way to find out about parties so make the effort
Fri Sep 17 19:44:22 2004
Dave from London.
I enjoyed going to the Mill Inn for several pints of Blairo's export. Then off to Ollies bar on the High Street... Superb entertainment.
Wed Jun 16 13:37:18 2004
Pete From shrops in lille till june 30th
if you've never been there come and Aber look ( shocking pun i know probably has going to hell for it) its a great place in fact have written a song
to the tune of Amerillo by tony christie
when the day is dawning on a lille sunday morning
how i long to be there with all the beer thats wainting for me there.
Every lonely city where i hang my hat
Ain't half as pretty
as where my bevvie's at
Is this the way to aberystwyth
and the lads that i get smashed with
dreaming dreams of aberystwyth and all the beer that waits for me!
Tue Jun 8 22:01:06 2004
Nicola, London.
my best advice would be to join a sports team or club, it doesn't matter if you're rubbish or have no interest in the sport, socials in aber are legendary!! the best being the joint women's and men's rugby social in freshers week, called 'families', it is absolute carnage, but great fun.
Also get used to being wet, it rained every day during my first semester, you soon become accustomed to being wet!!
Oh and when you see your lecturers in the bay or rummers, don't try and chat them up!!
Tue May 11 16:08:19 2004
Laura Beaumont (in Nuneaton)
Ok, Aber... fantastic place where I had 3 great years with some of the best people! Anyway... if our crews were off for a big one on the town, this was our general crawl:
Start off at JD's for quick bite to eat and cocktail pitchers...
Then head off to Cambrian for potent cocktail or two.
Next you have to get yourself to the Mill Inn. It's about the size of an average living room with a pool table in the middle. It's a mad place, but always worth a quick stop-off for a 'brain haemmeragge'... Then onto Varsity for some bottles and apple sourz.
Right this next bit is generally where I start to get light-headed, due to the "fresh" walk down the seafront to...
The Bay... Then (if you can manage it) stagger to the Glen and get too hot and sticky on the dance floor before calling it a night and...
Going for a quick wander on the beach - but seriously be careful here... we were never THAT drunk or stupid to actually try and swim it! The currents and temperature aint worth it!
Head to Spar for some midnight munchies... get taxi back home and generally stay up talking for hours in the kitchen even though you said you were going straight to bed!!
Ahh... student life - can't tell I miss it can you?!
Mon May 10 19:59:15 2004
Tim Haynes from Swindon
Buy Goretex, get out there and enjoy the Cambrians!
Mon May 10 17:20:04 2004
Tell us what you think of student life in Aber - or add your top tips here.
