you could study in aberdeen (3 hours from edinburgh) its a smaller city and has two great universities ( i recommend robert gordons) you can study art and photography there and aberdeenshire (outskirts of aberdeen) is just beautiful! lots of countryside, lakes, castles, rivers, hill walks and wildlife, the students have a great social life and are dedicated with there work. i think the best time (weather wise) is spring, it doesnt really matter but spring always seems to be a bit nicer than autumn as it can rain quite a bit.
to sum up :
glasgow is quite big and confusing but an okay place just doesnt have a lot of scenery, has great shopping and city life.

edinburgh has historical things and a good university and lots of events and loads of students

aberdeen has lots of scenery, jobs (oil capital in europe), social life, students, countryside, only a couple of hours by car from edinburgh and glasgow. but has a smallish airport and a city of only under a million people. has kind of strong accent sometimes. look out for words like:
Ken (i know)
Fit (what)
Di (do)
Aright (hey)

im guessing your american as you say semester ( we call it term)
most scottish people are fasicnated with americans! we love your accents

GOOD LUCK!
hope i helped
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and i would recommend a place called Rest And Be Thankfull – random name i know – buts its a beautiful place