"Student life is relatively serene and tranquil in Aberystwyth and it's hardly difficult to see why the University is continuously voted high for student satisfaction in national polls.

The town sits comfortably next to an alluring sea and plays host to an eminent university. My love for the sea and the arts drew me to this town. I have spent two enjoyable years as a student within this homely sphere and I have observed many an unusual event.

Universities are renowned for being not only centres for higher education but also, especially from my experience, they play host to rather unusual and quirky individuals. Aberystwyth seem to be wholly brimming with these characters, which leads to rather interesting and entertaining events.

One such event was a night in which the University hosted an acoustic session within the student union. There where several talents on stage who performed with real reverence and passion, yet there was most certainly an oddball within the ranks.

A talk lanky figure emerged wielding a guitar and sat down, the audience waited respectfully for the artist to perform, yet this was most certainly not his intention. He deftly placed his guitar upon the floor and proceeded to regale the students with a story detailing his debauched night with a local girl.

This was most certainly not what the audience wanted to hear and he was soon escorted from the premises. What on earth was it that brought this young lad to such a unusual break of social convention within such a public space. It's my humble belief that drink is the answer!

Alcohol is most certainly an important part of student life in Aberystwyth. It's a popular urban legend that the drinking society keeps the economy of the town going.

Some debate that it should become a dry town, to ensure students focus upon their degrees and crime is reduced. I would urge you to visit Aberystwyth as there are several reasons why this town is so interesting and fun.

It has a big city lifestyle, with a small town attitude. People care for each other, and yet there is most defiantly a strong academic side to student life.

I have been involved in many a debate with fellow students involving such seemingly fundamental matters as the conflict of the Middle East and eastern communism!

There is a slight factor of isolation at play here. I think this leads to the myriad of oddballs that find themselves within Aberystwyth, as it's so difficult to get away from the town as nothing else similar is nearby.

Yet all these factors lead to what has most certainly been an enjoyable few years and I hope to keep you updated with student news and views of life here in what is most certainly a clash of two worlds that is Aberystwyth."

Article written by Siobhan Bligh