Issue 145

29 Things To Do Before You Graduate

25th September 2006

University life is what you make of it, and although Swansea isn't huge, it has plenty of things to occupy your time - when you're not studying hard of course! We want to help you realise that student life is much, much more than lie-ins, drinking and stealing traffic cones. Apart from the obvious shopping, eating out and clubbing opportunities in the town centre, Swansea stands on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, the first official area of outstanding natural beauty in the UK, holding vast swathes of open land, as well as enough sand and sea for anyone. Meanwhile, there is of course the Mumbles, which as well as being the home of you-know-who, is a fabulously beautiful area which also has lots to do and see.

These are just some of the reasons people who come to study here don't want to leave - living and studying in Swansea would not be complete without certain things. After mercilessly probing current and former students of this fine establishment, we have come up with a list of 29 things which you simply must do before your graduate...

1. The 'Mumbles Mile' - a pub crawl through the boozer-dense homeland of Ms. Zeta-Jones
2. Ride the Swan boats in Singleton Park
3. Eat a hot Welsh Cake, fresh from the market
4. Have a party on the beach
5. Join a university society - and actually go to a meeting
6. Watch a local football or rugby match
7. Go to the fabulous beaches on the Gower - the Gower explorer bus goes all the way to Rhossili
8. Do the annual Beer race - fancy dress is a must!
9. Learn how to use the library - useful, that.
10. Swim in the 50m Welsh National Pool
11. Visit Margam deer park, just outside Swansea, it's awesome!
12. Learn some Welsh - go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/learnwelsh/
13. See a show at the gorgeous Grand Theatre
14. Save your coppers for a visit to the penny arcades on Mumbles Pier
15. Write an article for the Waterfront or Front!
16. Learn to surf or kite surf
17. Eat plenty of Joe's Ice cream
18. Make the most of the cheap and well kitted out gym
19. Go to every club at least once - even the odd looking ones
20. Paddle in the water fountain in town
21. Wales has the most castles. Visit at least one - there's one in the city centre
22. Take up cycling; Swansea has a long cycle path along the beach and is a great place to use this wallet and eco-friendly mode of transport
23. Museums in Wales are free (good old National Assembly!) Go to the National Waterfront Museum for a glimpse of Welsh industrial life in a great setting
24. While you're in the Maritime Quarter, don't forget the Dylan Thomas Centre. Exhibitions change regularly
25. Feeling green? Check out the Environment Centre on Pier Street
26. Undercurrents (political and arty film makers) hold their annual 'film festival' in Swansea. Go and enjoy unusual short films, but don't expect to meet many celebs!
27. Take full advantage of your student card at every opportunity!
28. Clean your flat. At least once.
29. Enjoy your time at uni - it's the one time you'll be able to do allof the above, plus more partying, socialising and learning than you've ever had opportunity to do.

To find out more, have a look at the official guide Swansea Bay at www.visitswanseabay.com for more information on places to visit and things to do.

Mick Sgrill