Elizabeth and Daniel outside University Halls

Back for second year at St Andrews

We took Daniel back to St Andrews today to commence his second year of maths and computer science at one of the best universities in the world. He was very relaxed and happy to be going back and indeed ran into some friends while we were there.

He’s in halls of residence again this year, the same halls as last year, but a different wing. Last year he was in Whitehorn, which is fairly new, and partly because of that and the fact he had an ensuite it was the most expensive accommodation on campus which we weren’t thrilled about.

This year, thankfully, he’s in an older wing without an ensuite so it’ll be cheaper. I think the room is nicer too because it’s bigger. Ensuites take up quite a bit of floor space and new builds tend to cram in as many rooms in as possible so this older wing feels more spacious. He has a basin in his room which is more than you need and the bathroom is literally right next door. The other advantage is he doesn’t have to clean the bathroom – there are cleaners for that. He’s also got a nice view.

There was a huge queue at the student union for the traditional red gown – a 600-year-old tradition – which most students buy in their first year. Fortunately Daniel got his last year and they last forever. He wore it a lot too.

That’s one of the nice things about St Andrews: where other universities have abandoned their traditions, St Andrews has clung onto them and far from being stale or old-fashioned they add a richness to student life that I think other universities have lost.

This is the outside of his halls.

Here’s the dining room. Not many universities offer catering these days. St Andrews and Edinburgh are the only two in Scotland to still have it which I think is a shame. Daniel made lots of friends during mealtimes last year, including at breakfast. At least for first year I think catering, when available, is a must-have.