Freshers’ week can be a daunting prospect but it’s the perfect opportunity to have some fun and meet loads of new people before university starts. Here, the Glide team provides a few tips from their own time at university to make sure you make it through unscathed.
Summer’s over. Budding university students across the UK will be packing up their belongings and heading to university to enjoy one of the oldest and best things about university life. Freshers’ week.
At it’s heart, Freshers’ week is all about welcoming new students to university, but in reality it can feel more like an alcohol-fuelled emotional rollercoaster where day and night blur into one and before you know it, it’s over, leaving you shattered, broke, and in need of a good long bath. However, we’ve all been there and we know what to expect.
Meeting people
You’ll meet all sorts of people during freshers’ week. A few of them you might never see again, a few of them will become people you don’t mind saying a polite hello to on a night out, and a few of them will become lifelong mates. The key to meeting people during freshers’ week is to make the effort to speak to people. Everyone is in the same boat no matter how cool and relaxed they might appear, and most people will be happy to meet someone new.
Moving in
Decided what you need to take to university can be confusing. You’ll undoubtedly take things you won’t need and then wonder, why on earth did I bring this with me? The most important things to remember to pack are your laptop/computer, a backpack or bag, stationary, phone, ID and driving licence, clothes and cooking equipment. The Telegraph recently published a more detailed list that’s worth taking a look at.
When it comes to actually unloading your car at the other end and moving into your halls or new house, make an effort to speak to the people you’re living with. It’s the perfect time to break the ice. Similarly, if you spot someone moving in, offer them a hand.
Drinking Games
Alcohol and freshers’ week go hand-in-hand, but that doesn’t mean you need to get hammered every single night just to meet new people. Of course, the majority of us will drink ourselves into obliteration at least one night of freshers’ week, but just try to remember that it’s all about having fun and talking to new people which can be difficult to do when you can barely stand and the room is spinning.
Sex
Bow-chica-wau-wau. As well as excessive alcohol consumption, freshers week is often thought to be a seven-day romp of Dan Bilzerian like proportions, but in reality it’s more like a sweaty palmed school disco. However, the mixture of alcohol, open expression and excitable hormones will undoubtedly lead to the odd fling. Just remember to keep it safe and try not to do anything you’ll regret. Sleeping with your housemate is a big no-no unless you think you might have found your soul mate (which you probably haven’t).
Freshers’ Flu
Microwavable burgers, frozen pizzas, late night kebabs and loads of alcohol. Undoubtedly, your diet will take a nosedive during freshers’ week and when you combine this with very little sleep and the millions of new germs floating around the place, it’s quite easy to get freshers’ flu. If you do fall peril to the biggest downside of freshers’ week, just remember to drink plenty of water and try to get some rest. You’ve got the rest of the year to party and you’ll recover a lot quicker if you take it easy.
Money
Freshers’ week, or freshers’ fortnight for some universities, can be an extremely expensive affair if you don’t stay on top of how much you’re spending. It’s easy to think that your student loan and overdraft will last forever, but it won’t. The last thing you want is to find yourself at the bottom of your overdraft before university has even started. Try to set yourself a budget for nights out and do a big shop before the week begins to save ordering takeaway or eating out.
Ultimately, the most important thing is just to have fun. You’ll probably get ill and forget most of the people you meet, but you’ll have a great time and remember the week with fond memories.