Starting university is one of life’s biggest milestones. Whether you’re beginning your undergraduate degree or continuing your studies as a postgraduate student, moving to a new city is both exciting and a little daunting. If you’re making the move to Edinburgh to start university this September. You're about to begin an incredible new chapter!
As Scotland's capital, Edinburgh combines centuries of history with a vibrant student community. From its cobbled streets and historic landmarks to its independent cafes, green spaces and a thriving cultural scene, there's always something new to discover! Every year, thousands of students choose to study in Edinburgh, making it one of the UK’s most popular student cities.
As exciting as that sounds, moving away from home can also feel overwhelming. Whether you’re relocating from another part of Scotland, elsewhere in the UK or internationally, it’s completely normal to feel nervous. New city, new people, new routines, and perhaps even your first experience of independent living – there's a lot to take in. The good news? You're certainly not alone.
As a postgraduate student here at QMU, I’d love to share ten things I wish someone had told me before I moved to Edinburgh. After two university moves and five years of student life, I’ve learnt a few things that I wish someone had told me before I packed my bags.
Create a routine before you think you need one
When you first move to a new city (or country) and start university, every day feels different.
You’re busy unpacking and organising your space, meeting new people, exploring, attending induction events and trying to remember which bus numbers take you to campus.
It’s easy to think routines can wait until the semester actually starts, but trust me, creating small habits early will help you so much in the long run and can make the transition into your new chapter feel a whole lot smoother!
For me, that includes things like planning my meals for the week and writing a shopping list with easy and quick meal ideas for the days where I’m out and about or have a small gap for lunch between lectures. It saves money but also prevents you from just grabbing a granola bar on your way out and calling it a day.
More academic things than lunch might include setting aside time to review lecture notes after class or planning your assignments early to stay ahead of things. In most scenarios, the class material is available to view online before the class, meaning you can have a quick read through and come to class prepared with thoughts, ideas and questions.
Routines provide stability during a time when everything feels new. You don’t need to have the perfect schedule; you just need to find one that works for you.
Welcome week isn’t the whole university experience
You might have heard a lot of people talk about Welcome Week and it’s easy to believe (at first) that it determines your whole university journey.
Spoiler alert – it doesn’t!
Some people meet their best friends during the first week. Others don’t find “their people” until halfway through the first semester or even second year.
Both experiences are completely normal.
If club nights and bars aren’t or big social events aren’t your thing, don't worry! Universities offer tons of other opportunities to meet people through joining societies, volunteering, sports clubs and your course itself.
Speaking from experience, some of the best first conversations happen while waiting in line at a coffee shop or during the very useful (and sometimes very cringey) icebreakers during your first few classes.
Remember that almost everyone else is just as new as you are, even if they seem like they have it all together!
Don’t spend all your time in your room
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt as a student is that where you study can completely change how productive you feel.
If you find yourself a but stuck and struggling to concentrate in your room, don’t force yourself to stay there all day.
Pack your bag and head out to a library or a coffee shop. There are a range of different study spaces on QMU’s campus as well as in Edinburgh city. Personally, I love studying in coffee shops and trust me when I say Edinburgh is not short on those!
Some people like complete silence, while others work better with a little background noise. There isn’t a right or wrong way to study, you just have to “shop around” a bit or “study hop” and find which locations make you feel the most comfortable and productive which in the long run, will make your assignments feel much less overwhelming.
Edinburgh has so much more than tourist attractions
When people think about Edinburgh, they often picture Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile and Princes Street. That is so not all there is to the city!
Yes, they’re iconic for a reason and you should absolutely visit them.
But one of the best parts of living here is discovering places that don’t always make the headlines!
My favourites places to visit are:
Blackford Hill – a short bus ride (and slight incline walk) from the city centre for amazing panoramic views of the entire city an alternative from the (often) crowded Arthur’s Seat
Crammond Beach – for a scenic coastline walk with the option to venture out to Crammond Island when the tide conditions allow – an escape from city life but not too far away!
Leith – The Shore at the end of Leith Walk is gorgeous, especially on a warm summer evening (think cool bars, coffee spots and some delicious food options) with plenty of places to sit outside and appreciate the buzzing atmosphere
Living in Edinburgh means you get to experience the city differently from tourists.
Eventually, you’ll stop feeling like you’re visiting and start feeling like you belong.
The main reason you’re here in Edinburgh is for your degree and while that is important, so are the experiences and memories you’ll think about long after graduation!
So, get out there and explore!
Looking after yourself is just as important as your degree
University can be busy.
There will most likely be lectures, seminars, assignment deadlines, part-time jobs and days when everything seems to happen at once.
One minute you’ve just started a module and the next, you have 2 essays, a presentation and a research report due in the same two weeks!
While it’s important to work hard and get the grades you hope for, it's equally important to take care of yourself.
Make proper meals, get enough sleep, move your body regularly and take part in activities you genuinely enjoy.
If you’re finding things difficult and feel like you might benefit from a little help balancing everything, remember that your university has support services in place that are designed specifically for students. They cover a wide range of bases; whether you need academic guidance, mental health support or just want someone to point you in the right direction – they’re here for you! The wellbeing team at QMU are great!
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Budgeting makes student life less stressful
With so much to see and do, having a realistic budget can help you make the most of student life in Edinburgh.
Whether you’re working a part-time job, have savings or are getting financial aid from the Student Funding Service, creating a realistic weekly budget before the semester begins can help you stay in control of your spending.
Think about you regular costs including food shopping, transport, course materials and social activities. If you’re not sure how much you need to budget, it’s a good idea to track your first month of spending and adjust from there. This allows you to understand where your money is going and identify areas where you could save a little.
Simple habits such as meal planning, shopping with a list and making use of student discounts (UniDays and Student Beans are the main apps), can make a noticeable difference over the course of a semester. It’s also useful to know that our Students' Union runs a weekly food pantry for students of any level, offering delicious and fresh food for an affordable price of £3!
Remember that not every enjoyable activity needs to cost money. Edinburgh has plenty of free museums, galleries, parks and scenic walking routes that are perfect for taking a break from studying.
To save on public transport you might consider purchasing a weekly or monthly pass for ScotRail or Lothian Buses.
If you’re under 22, you can apply for a Young Scot Card, which grants you free bus travel all over Scotland!
Edinburgh’s weather can be unpredictable!
If there’s one thing you’ll quickly learn when living in Edinburgh, it’s that the weather likes to keep you guessing! The best way to approach it is simply to be prepared. Layers are your best friend, particularly when you’re walking between lectures and heated buildings, and having a lightweight waterproof jacket tucked into your bag can be very handy!
Speaking of walking, don’t underestimate how much you’ll do. Even if you regularly use public transport, you’ll still spend plenty of time exploring the city on foot. Comfortable shoes will probably become one of the most-used items in your wardrobe.
Don’t let a cloudy or wet forecast put you off heading out to explore! Some of the best Edinburgh walks and views are arguably better when there’s a dark, foggy and dramatic atmosphere. The city suits it, so just embrace the unpredictability, and you’ll be ready to enjoy Edinburgh whatever the weather!
The hills are real... but so are the views
One thing Google Maps doesn’t always prepare you for is just how hilly Edinburgh can be.
Whether you’re exploring the Old Town, walking to a city library to study or even just carrying your weekly shop home, you’ll soon realise that the city provides a surprising amount of exercise.
This will quickly become part of everyday life, but you might want to give yourself an extra five or ten minutes before you need to be anywhere at a specific time until you learn your routes.
Even if (like me) you still dread a handful of the steepest hills and steps, you can always count on the view at the top to feel rewarding. Edinburgh has some of the most beautiful views you’ll find in any city in the UK. From Calton Hill to Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat, the scenery will always remind you why it’s such a special place to study.
Sometimes you are your own best friend
One of the biggest lessons university teaches you is that it’s okay to enjoy your own company.
When you move to a new city it’s easy to feel like you need someone to do everything with. You might find yourself waiting until you’ve made friends before trying a new coffee shop or exploring a new part of the city. The secret is, things can be just as fun when you do them solo!
Some of my favourite moments in Edinburgh have been the ones I’ve spent by myself. I’ve realised that doing things alone doesn’t have to feel lonely. In fact, it can be incredibly freeing.
Learning to enjoy solo adventures helps you build confidence, become more independent and make the most of your time in the city. It also means you won’t miss out on experiences just because no one else is available.
Of course, spending time with friends and flatmates is one of the best parts of university, but don't underestimate the value of being your own friend. Take yourself out for a coffee, visit a museum or climb Calton Hill to watch the sunset over the Edinburgh skyline.
There are so many solo tourists visiting Edinburgh that you won’t even feel like you stick out for being alone.
Who knows? You might even discover your new favourite place when it’s just you and the city!
Give yourself time to feel at home
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that settling into university takes time.
There will probably be moments when you miss home, question your decision or feel overwhelmed by everything that’s changing.
These feelings are completely normal and almost everyone experiences them to some extent.
One of my top pieces of advice is try not to compare your university journey to someone else's. Everyone adjusts differently and there is no “correct” timeline for feeling settled.
Even though someone might be on the same course as you and maybe even living in the same accommodation as you, it doesn’t mean you automatically have the same student experience.
Make your student experience your own.
You’ll be glad to know that over time, the unfamiliar streets become familiar, the university workload becomes more manageable and your routines become stable and it all seems a bit easier and normalised.
Before long, Edinburgh won’t just be the city where you study – it will feel like home.
Final Thoughts
Moving to Edinburgh is so much more than changing your address. It’s the beginning of a new adventure filled with opportunities to learn, grow and discover more about yourself.
Will everything go perfectly? Probably not.
Will you get lost a few times? Almost certainly.
Will you have moments where you question whether you’ve made the right decision? Maybe.
But you’ll also laugh more than you expected, meet people from all over the world, discover places you’ll want to return to for years and create memories that will stay with you long after graduation.
So, whether you’re counting down the days until September or you’ve just accepted your university place at QMU, take a deep breath and enjoy the journey ahead.
Welcome to Edinburgh – I hope you love this city as much as I do!
