The ultimate Edinburgh student calendar

Fourth year Edinburgh University student Lizzie Parker has put her hard years of studying in Scotland's capital to good use, compiling the ultimate guide to what to do in Edinburgh, from September all the way through to exams.

September -  Go and watch the Rugby Varsity Match at Murrayfield Stadium
Picture source: www.edunirugby.co.uk/#!varsity-2015-/v93n2
 
Despite their mutual love of tweed jackets and red chinos, relations are anything but friendly between the rugby clubs of Edinburgh and St. Andrew’s. Grab a 4-pack of tinnies, paint your face, practise your wittiest chants and head to the iconic Murrayfield stadium for their annual Varsity match. If last year is anything to go by, it’s likely to be thrillingly close. 

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October – Drink a stein of beer at Edinburgh’s Oktoberfest
Originating in Munich over 200 years ago, Oktoberfest is a celebration of the gathering of the harvest which quickly evolved into an excuse to drink lots and lots of beer. For those who have too many deadlines and not enough student loan to fly to Germany for the real deal, Edinburgh now has its very own Oktoberfest. Held in temporary tents erected in Princes St Gardens, what it may lack in authenticity it certainly makes up for in atmosphere.
 

November – See the light show at the Botanical Gardens

Anyone who has climbed Arthur’s Seat on Bonfire Night will know that what may sound like a great idea is in fact cold, rainy and dangerous. If you prefer not to risk your life for a mediocre-at-best view of some fireworks, head to Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens for an impressive, high-tech, interactive light display, covering 70 acres of exotic plants with lasers, projections, pyrotechnics and more.
 

December – Do Christmas, Edinburgh-style

Few cities do Christmas as well as Edinburgh, and the festivities have been growing in size each year. The city centre now offers a range of attractions spread over three sites, including temporary ice-rinks, rotating carousel bars, fairground rides and market stalls. Go and buy a bratwurst and some mulled wine, and don’t forget the obligatory Instagram post. 
 

January - Ceilidh at EUSA Burn’s Night celebration
Christmas is over, it’s cold, it’s dark, and you can probably see your own breath in your flat. Remind yourself that Scotland isn’t so bad after all by donning your glad rags,  pretending to enjoy your haggis, neeps and tatties, and ceilidh-ing the night away in celebration of the nation’s best-loved poet. It’s what Rabbie Burns would’ve wanted.
 
 
February – Go skiing in Scotland

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Scottish skiing is not to be sniffed at, offering over 5 ‘resorts’ to choose from. If hedonism, debauchery and hardcore shredding is your thing, the Uni ski club EUSSC run a weekend in mid-February in Cairngorm, in conjunction with the other Edinburgh universities.  Alternatively, make use of Innovative Learning Week to hire a lodge and hit the slopes with a small group of friends. Just bring a buff and watch out for the stones!
 
 
March – Watch the Medic’s Reveal

One of the biggest events in the student calendar, the Medic’s Reveal is a unique chance to see the future of this country’s healthcare system take their clothes off to music. If you’re still not convinced, the whole thing is for charity, with all profits going to the Teenage Cancer Trust.
 
 
April – Party pagan-style at the Beltane Fire Festival
Picture source: http://www.elementalweddings.co.uk/blog/beltane-fire-festival-edinburgh/
 
Calton Hill is worth a visit at any time of year, but as the sun sets on one night at the end of April, the area is transformed for a ‘modern twist’ on the ancient pagan Belatane Fire Festival. Expect a Celtic bonanza of questionable dreadlocks, acoustic guitars, acrobatics, drums and lots of…. fire.

 
May – Cuddle puppies at one of EUSA’s ‘Therapets’ events

​It’s exam season and you’re doing all you can to procrastinate from revision, whether it’s looking at animal pictures on the Internet, or gazing at the Krufts-worthy dogs frolicking in the meadows from the 4th floor of the library. With EUSA’s ‘Therapets’ initiative, you can take a break from revision, relieve some stress and satisfy your longing to cuddle something fluffy. Make sure you’re on the ball with this one, as puppies are a finite resource and places fill up fast!