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Wales Online
Wales Online
Entertainment
Reem Ahmed

24 things every Cardiff university fresher needs to know

It's that time of year again: thousands of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed freshers are descending on Cardiff as they begin the most exciting chapter of their lives.

After an impressive results day in Wales which saw smiling faces and happy tears, many hard-working students from Wales and further afield are starting their studies at Cardiff University, Cardiff Met, the University of South Wales or the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Like any city, Cardiff has its own little quirks that make the student experience unforgettable, but if you're not familiar with the capital you might not know what exactly to expect. So, to help you out, we've come up with a list of 25 things every new arrival needs to know.

1. Chippy Lane - aka Chippy Alley - is the place to be after a night out...

(Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd)

2. ...and you'll be torn whether to get a takeaway from Dorothy's or Tony's

I pitted both Dorothy's and Tony's against each other, but who would win? (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

3. Speaking of takeaways, a curry here comes with both rice and chips

4. We're home to one of the world's rudest street names

(WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

4. And, yes, Splott is a real place, too

5. In fact, Splott is home to a secret beach

(Rob Browne)

6. Though you'll probably prefer to catch some rays down in Cardiff Bay...

Cardiff Bay Barrage will be closed for part of the day on September 15 (Mark Lewis)

7. ...which is where you'll find a shrine to Ianto from Torchwood

Carol-Anne Hillman decorates the shrine for every occasion (Mark Lewis)

8. Barry Island, from Gavin and Stacey, is not far from Cardiff

9. R emember to thank your bus driver, who is universally known as "Drive"

10. You'll also start using words like "cwtch", "lush" and "tidy"

11. If you want to buy time, just say you'll do something "now, in a minute"

12. And instead of saying "over there" or "by there", just say "over by there"

13. You'll probably bump into Cardiff legend Ninjah

(Mat Wigley)

14. Speaking of legends, there's a massive castle smack-bang in the middle of the city

The sofa will be at Cardiff Castle on September 19 (Richard Williams)

15. And a fairy-tale castle on the edge

The slopes around Castell Coch were once home to vineyards (Matthew Horwood)

16. The arcades are the most beautiful places to shop...

On the balconies of Castle Arcade (WalesOnline/ Beth Thomas)

17. ...and Cardiff Market is the best place for cheap groceries - and delicious street food

The entrance to the market on Trinity Street (Peter Bolter)

18. Never wear expensive shoes to Live Lounge

(Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency)

19. An umbrella is an essential item here

(WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

20. You'll inevitably become a rugby fan (even if you only watch it for Louis Rees-Zammit)

Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit (Huw Evans Picture Agency)

21. You'll get to know Cathays like the back of your hand...

Cathays - general view (Richard Swingler)

22. ...but you might want to avoid it on bin day

(Verity Free)

23. There is no shortage of places to go for a pint

(WALES NEWS SERVICE)

24. And we also love a sing-song, especially the national anthem

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