In my 2nd year of Strathclyde I stayed in the area of Maryhill beside the Firhill stadium. I stayed with 5 other guys from Oban, all of whom were at colleges as opposed to universities. I actually referred to this flat situation in my very first post on this blog. The accommodation was private halls of residence. It was a big dingy and grim in terms of appearance but it was cheap and it was safe at least. There was a shared kitchen and all of us boys had our own rooms. We had neighbors of students who I will talk about later. There were no families or professionals staying to complain about our noise (music or loud talking). We were also in the vicinity of Glasgow university.

Obviously 2011 was well before Brexit and as Scotland had free fee’s for all Europeans (but not English people) due to European Union law so there was a nice mix of students from Eastern Europe.

I used to either walk to Strathclyde or get a bus at the main road for about a quid. The walk itself must have been a good 3 miles. 

Around this time I was probably closer to my flat mates than my coursemates. I dropped Spanish this time around and chose Finance and Accounting which was interesting for content but full of boring people (I did group work with them).

Around this time our flat would go out as a group typically on a Thursday night (student night) or Friday night (Saturday night was for an older crowd). We would typically go to places like O2 ABC club or The Arches (which is now closed).

Around this time I also started a public speaking social group called Toastmasters. The group was full of professionals and business people and they liked me because I was a student. I think their group was generally quite a positive and well meaning group.

In terms of student neighbors in Maryhill, probably the best friendship I struck up was with a Russian guy (who had fled Russia for sunnier Spain when he was younger). The Russian guy eventually came with me to Toastmasters. He also influenced me in my reading and he introduced me to his Eastern European social circle.

In terms of my coursemates I had a sort of awkward friendship with a group of Glasgow locals. They were quite studious and kind in their own way.

Oddly enough in that time my fashion sense was a bit different too, I used to shop in Topman (which is no longer around). I remember buying leather gloves and thinking I was very stylish. A bit like that song ‘dedicated follower of fashion,’ by the Kinks.

This year there were also additional friends from Oban who had chosen to do gap years (not abroad though like the cliche) and were now starting their first year at university.

One guy was popular in Oban but was now a bit like a fish out of water. Another was studying naval architecture and I went out with him one time to O2 ABC.

I don’t have too many regrets for this year. However I do have some. My course was dominated by boys (100 boys out of about 120 students). My flat was dominated by boys (6 out of 6). I was introduced to girls via my Russian friend but I was actually a bit condescending to the Eastern Europeans. They were open minded with me but I was not open minded with them. I guess that often happens when you have newcomers to a place. The people who are already there look down on them. I was also assuming, I made assumptions based on my experiences with girls in Oban. Being assuming can be a fatal error in courtship.