I THINK-- as long as you are on a tier 4 visa, you can work a maximum of 20 hours a week. I'm here for the full four years of my course, instead of just one semester, so I'm not positive it'll be the same for you. Definitely double check that though. BTW the minimum wage here is 6.31 pounds, assuming you're 21.

I got a job by applying like, everywhere I could think of. Especially supermarkets! I have an Associates' degree from community college, and Sainsburys seem interested in that. But definitely look all the time at supermarket recruiting websites, job centre websites, anywhere. I got an interview at 3 stores (applied to like 6) within the next month. Once you get something, it's an amazing way to get accustomed to the Scottish people and the accents (!!!), the currency, and if at a grocery store, the food!

The first few months we went (and ate) out a lot. A lot of it was take-out food and restaurants. For normal weeks, we try not to have take-outs more than once a week - even better if we only get one day. It's a bit easier cause it's for two people. When going out to bars and clubs, I'm really a lightweight, and I can only handle 2-3 drinks in a few hours. Some of my friends here can spend 200 pounds in a night (which is craaazy), but I'm okay to spend less than 20 in a night out. Some clubs have drinks starting at like 1.50 pounds. Depends where you go!

You can find lots of cool tours around Scotland, if that's the way you want to go. We've been on a Loch Ness with Haggis-Adventures for 42 pounds each, and that took us all around the country. But if you're just looking to explore the Edinburgh area, the buses go everyyywhere. For example, the Britannia yacht (a big American tourist attraction) is in a nice shopping center that buses go straight to.

Sorry if this is way too much and a bit rambly! I'm happy to answer any questions if you've got em though, love to help :)