Settling into Aber

So, it’s your first official week being a student!

You might quickly hit it off with your flatmates or have yet to have a proper conversation other than asking them where they’re from or what they’re studying. It may seem super daunting to establish yourself at Aberystwyth, but students all find their place here!

You may have questions about what to do around Aberystwyth to solidify your new friendships and the rural and un-metropolitan nature of Aberystwyth may have you wondering what you can do other than going on lots of nature walks. I can assure you there is plenty to do here that isn’t hiking through a muddy field (but if that is your thing, all the power to you - there’s lots of places around Aber where you can do that!) 

Familiarising yourself with the town:

Consti 

Aber is well-known amongst students and locals alike for being a bit of a weird and wonderful place! We are a community of very interesting characters, and this leaves a fond impression on anyone who visits the town.

In the spirit of Aber’s weirdness why not do something completely random to help settle yourself in here – like climbing Consti, perhaps?  

Conquering Constitution Hill is an achievement that the majority of students will eventually be able to claim as theirs.  If you’re not used to the hilly terrain of our seaside town and aren’t yet ready to tackle a huge hill, there’s always the option to use the Cliff Railway to get to the top. You will have to pay, but it’ll save you from sweating!

From the top of Consti, you can take a beautiful landscape picture of the town- the view is breathtaking – plus it’ll be a good picture to send to your folks at home. There’s also a café and bowling alley at the top of the hill if you want to chill out for a bit with your mates before you head back down. 

The Starling Clouds 

Even if you aren’t an avid bird watcher, you’ll want to see the Aberystwyth starlings! They usually appear around the pier and promenade in the evenings, especially between November and February, and their amazing aerial displays are truly a sight to behold – particularly compared to the omnipresent tyranny of the seagull horde which seems to be waiting to jump anyone carrying food.  

The Castle 

The castle is a great place to hang out for any student who is interested in history or simply enjoys chilling in damaged castles (thanks Oliver Cromwell). It is particularly good at night if you want to listen to the Pier music but don’t like being inside.

Aber Comedy Fest 

From 4-6 October 2024, the Arts Centre will host Aberystwyth Comedy Festival, offering a wide range of comedy acts to attend with your flatmates or new friends.

You will need to buy tickets for this, but it’ll be worthwhile as these shows don’t come to Aber very often. 

If you’re interested in attending, make sure to check out the website and purchase your tickets there: https://abercomedyfest.co.uk

Students’ Union Events  

The SU is the best place to go for any events during Welcome Week and across the year. There is usually a kilo sale on campus, if you want to purchase some nice pieces for your wardrobe - it’s handy on a student budget as you’re charged for items based on weight, so you can shop inexpensively if you choose light items.

The SU will also host party events throughout the year. You will need to purchase tickets for some of these events, but not all; so make sure to check on the SU website: https://www.abersu.co.uk/ents.  Do watch out for scams or companies trying to sell tickets for events not promoted through the SU’s official channels.

There’s lots to do around Aber, so get out there and have a look around and see if there’s anything you fancy, and, who knows, you might make a friend or two! 

Unless otherwise stated, the views contained within these blogs are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Aberystwyth University.