Freshers Week - for those who are already a bit worried by it
Scroll to see replies
Original post by Zee2504
my parents are accompanying me to the UK to help me settle in and shop and stuff. And they'll be there for the ENTIRE fresher's week!(
Tell them to Go Home - you are an adult, you don't need them hanging about, this isn't school.
Original post by returnmigrant
Tell them to Go Home - you are an adult, you don't need them hanging about, this isn't school.
The difference is they are moving countries! If was moving to a whole new COUNTRY then I would want my parents to help me settle in.
Original post by Semanresu
Hi, I hope to start Uni this September and I'll be staying at home, not in Halls - will this mean I'll miss out on the socialising and 'uni experience'? Thanks.
Depends really on how far your university is and how much you socialise with fellow students
To be honest staying in halls would give you the best Uni experience and you may miss out on this.
Posted from TSR Mobile
As above - you can't expect to fully be a part of the 'University Experience' if you choose not to be there half the time. Sorry, but you can't have it both ways. It may be convenient living at home but it isnt the same as 'going away to Uni'.
Original post by Zee2504
Okay, so I dont drink. And that's not really the topic of concern for me. I'll tell you what is: Im an international student, and my parents are accompanying me to the UK to help me settle in and shop and stuff. And they'll be there for the ENTIRE fresher's week! How do i socialize and attend events when my parents will be around all the time? I'm not excited for freshers' week but I wanted to be! Any suggestions anybody??:'(
Hey, I'm moving from Germany and I asked my parents to accompany me for the move. They booked a hotel nearby and we're arriving a day early so that we can have a look around the park and the bay (parts of cardiff I haven't seen yet). But they're leaving after two days, partly because my father needs to get to a conference in Korea and partly because I told them to go. Are you going to arrive for the international week? that would be a week before freshers week and your parents being there wouldn't be a problem. If you don't want them to stay, just tell them you want to be able to get to know your flatmates in peace or maybe just organise something for them to do while you're settling in. Maybe they've always wanted to go see Bristol or Bath, that would be a day trip. Anyhow, having your parents there could be quite nice for some things. I, for instance, would love to go see some of the beaches around Cardiff! Since one has to be over 21 to rent a car that wouldn't be possible without.
Still, I think the easiest thin is to tell them you want some peace.
hang in there!
Most worrying me is the way i look and the way i am...
I was watching YT on room tours and noticed girls took a ton of make up ect..
now i dont wear make up... ever... i tried once and i hated it and im worried that i go out during freshers or any other time and not wear make up people may think... i dont know that im weird and might not like me? I know its strange to think but it will make me stand out right, not wearing make up? I hate being noticed or standing out.
The reason i dont wear make up is because of my anxiety it actually makes me feel worse about myself and want to hide away i feel more at ease without make up... by no means do i think im even CLOSE to be considered pretty, thats not it at all.
I dont drink, i dont wear heels or anything open toed, i dont do anything fancy with my hair i just straighten it, i never bare skin in public due to my confidence
But do you think people will care?
I was watching YT on room tours and noticed girls took a ton of make up ect..
now i dont wear make up... ever... i tried once and i hated it and im worried that i go out during freshers or any other time and not wear make up people may think... i dont know that im weird and might not like me? I know its strange to think but it will make me stand out right, not wearing make up? I hate being noticed or standing out.
The reason i dont wear make up is because of my anxiety it actually makes me feel worse about myself and want to hide away i feel more at ease without make up... by no means do i think im even CLOSE to be considered pretty, thats not it at all.
I dont drink, i dont wear heels or anything open toed, i dont do anything fancy with my hair i just straighten it, i never bare skin in public due to my confidence
But do you think people will care?
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by LorenzoRey
Most worrying me is the way i look and the way i am...
I was watching YT on room tours and noticed girls took a ton of make up ect..
now i dont wear make up... ever... i tried once and i hated it and im worried that i go out during freshers or any other time and not wear make up people may think... i dont know that im weird and might not like me? I know its strange to think but it will make me stand out right, not wearing make up? I hate being noticed or standing out.
The reason i dont wear make up is because of my anxiety it actually makes me feel worse about myself and want to hide away i feel more at ease without make up... by no means do i think im even CLOSE to be considered pretty, thats not it at all.
I dont drink, i dont wear heels or anything open toed, i dont do anything fancy with my hair i just straighten it, i never bare skin in public due to my confidence
But do you think people will care?
I was watching YT on room tours and noticed girls took a ton of make up ect..
now i dont wear make up... ever... i tried once and i hated it and im worried that i go out during freshers or any other time and not wear make up people may think... i dont know that im weird and might not like me? I know its strange to think but it will make me stand out right, not wearing make up? I hate being noticed or standing out.
The reason i dont wear make up is because of my anxiety it actually makes me feel worse about myself and want to hide away i feel more at ease without make up... by no means do i think im even CLOSE to be considered pretty, thats not it at all.
I dont drink, i dont wear heels or anything open toed, i dont do anything fancy with my hair i just straighten it, i never bare skin in public due to my confidence
But do you think people will care?
As long as you're friendly, sociable and open-minded, people will like you.
Original post by LorenzoRey
Most worrying me is the way i look and the way i am...
I was watching YT on room tours and noticed girls took a ton of make up ect..
now i dont wear make up... ever... i tried once and i hated it and im worried that i go out during freshers or any other time and not wear make up people may think... i dont know that im weird and might not like me? I know its strange to think but it will make me stand out right, not wearing make up? I hate being noticed or standing out.
The reason i dont wear make up is because of my anxiety it actually makes me feel worse about myself and want to hide away i feel more at ease without make up... by no means do i think im even CLOSE to be considered pretty, thats not it at all.
I dont drink, i dont wear heels or anything open toed, i dont do anything fancy with my hair i just straighten it, i never bare skin in public due to my confidence
But do you think people will care?
I was watching YT on room tours and noticed girls took a ton of make up ect..
now i dont wear make up... ever... i tried once and i hated it and im worried that i go out during freshers or any other time and not wear make up people may think... i dont know that im weird and might not like me? I know its strange to think but it will make me stand out right, not wearing make up? I hate being noticed or standing out.
The reason i dont wear make up is because of my anxiety it actually makes me feel worse about myself and want to hide away i feel more at ease without make up... by no means do i think im even CLOSE to be considered pretty, thats not it at all.
I dont drink, i dont wear heels or anything open toed, i dont do anything fancy with my hair i just straighten it, i never bare skin in public due to my confidence
But do you think people will care?
I agree with coleslaw (this sentence looks ridiculous btw
)I have loads of friends who don't wear makeup, so what! My sister started wearing makeup at 19 or something and that's only mascara and eyeliner and only on special occasions ^^ be friendly and most importantly open to new things and people with whom you might not have been friends before and you'll be completely fine! you don't have to change, just be yourself and people will respect and like you for that
Original post by 'Maika'
I agree with coleslaw (this sentence looks ridiculous btw )
I have loads of friends who don't wear makeup, so what! My sister started wearing makeup at 19 or something and that's only mascara and eyeliner and only on special occasions ^^ be friendly and most importantly open to new things and people with whom you might not have been friends before and you'll be completely fine! you don't have to change, just be yourself and people will respect and like you for that
)I have loads of friends who don't wear makeup, so what! My sister started wearing makeup at 19 or something and that's only mascara and eyeliner and only on special occasions ^^ be friendly and most importantly open to new things and people with whom you might not have been friends before and you'll be completely fine! you don't have to change, just be yourself and people will respect and like you for that
Original post by cole-slaw
As long as you're friendly, sociable and open-minded, people will like you.
Thanks guys i generally am a nice person i get told often my awkwardness makes my friends laugh which actually makes me laugh so im sure i will find friends (or atleast i hope so) I just needed something to calm my nerves as with all the craziness of freshers and everyone being so glammed up i might be a bit odd looking.
Just another bit of reassurance for everyone feeling that some of the replies here are quite hostile.
If you don't feel comfortable doing some things that are offered in Freshers Week, don't feel pressured into doing them. Whether it's because you don't drink, you don't like big crowds, you don't like loud music or whatever, if there is an event on that you know you don't want to go to, don't feel obliged to because you "won't make friends" otherwise.
Staying at home some nights (or even every night!) doesn't make you anti-social, or a loner. If you wander through Halls you'll find other people who didn't go to whatever events are on, because, like you, they didn't want to, or because they got too drunk pre-drinking and passed out, or because they had so much fun pre-drinking that they're still there. Most of these people will be happy to see you and will welcome you joining them with whatever they're doing!
I was worried about Freshers - I'm at Warwick so it was a fortnight - because whilst I drink, I'd never had more than a couple before, and I felt very uncomfortable around drunk people, esepcially strangers. I also hate clubbing and crowds and pretty much any "event" that the University had organised for Freshers.
I was lucky enough to have a quiet flat who stayed in most nights as well, so we played "tame" drinking games in our flat, or just chatted, and we bonded really well because of it.
I get that a lot of the time it's not "oh but I don't want to drink" that puts you off Freshers, it's the fact that most events seem to be geared around alcohol, you may have faced aggression over not drinking before and aren't sure what to expect at Uni, but also, you simply don't like being around drunk people. There's a difference between that and "not liking people who drink" or looking down on those people.
What I'm trying to say is, don't let people tell you that by not getting involved in events including alcohol you are sticking your nose in the air and considering yourself better than drinkers. Don't let people tell you that you have to put yourself out there and go ouside your comfort zone in order to make friends. Yes, it's good if you do get involved in events, and if you push your limits a bit, but you certainly don't have to do so. Staying in your room for the first week isn't to be advised, but staying in your flat, or your building, because that's what you're comfortable with, is nothing to be ashamed of.
Sorry for the essay, I just wanted to offer the advice that I know I would need if I'd just read some of these comments a month before starting Uni for the first time!
If you don't feel comfortable doing some things that are offered in Freshers Week, don't feel pressured into doing them. Whether it's because you don't drink, you don't like big crowds, you don't like loud music or whatever, if there is an event on that you know you don't want to go to, don't feel obliged to because you "won't make friends" otherwise.
Staying at home some nights (or even every night!) doesn't make you anti-social, or a loner. If you wander through Halls you'll find other people who didn't go to whatever events are on, because, like you, they didn't want to, or because they got too drunk pre-drinking and passed out, or because they had so much fun pre-drinking that they're still there. Most of these people will be happy to see you and will welcome you joining them with whatever they're doing!
I was worried about Freshers - I'm at Warwick so it was a fortnight - because whilst I drink, I'd never had more than a couple before, and I felt very uncomfortable around drunk people, esepcially strangers. I also hate clubbing and crowds and pretty much any "event" that the University had organised for Freshers.
I was lucky enough to have a quiet flat who stayed in most nights as well, so we played "tame" drinking games in our flat, or just chatted, and we bonded really well because of it.
I get that a lot of the time it's not "oh but I don't want to drink" that puts you off Freshers, it's the fact that most events seem to be geared around alcohol, you may have faced aggression over not drinking before and aren't sure what to expect at Uni, but also, you simply don't like being around drunk people. There's a difference between that and "not liking people who drink" or looking down on those people.
What I'm trying to say is, don't let people tell you that by not getting involved in events including alcohol you are sticking your nose in the air and considering yourself better than drinkers. Don't let people tell you that you have to put yourself out there and go ouside your comfort zone in order to make friends. Yes, it's good if you do get involved in events, and if you push your limits a bit, but you certainly don't have to do so. Staying in your room for the first week isn't to be advised, but staying in your flat, or your building, because that's what you're comfortable with, is nothing to be ashamed of.
Sorry for the essay, I just wanted to offer the advice that I know I would need if I'd just read some of these comments a month before starting Uni for the first time!
Great post Katie - thanks.
Original post by LorenzoRey
Most worrying me is the way i look and the way i am...
I was watching YT on room tours and noticed girls took a ton of make up ect..
now i dont wear make up... ever... i tried once and i hated it and im worried that i go out during freshers or any other time and not wear make up people may think... i dont know that im weird and might not like me? I know its strange to think but it will make me stand out right, not wearing make up? I hate being noticed or standing out.
The reason i dont wear make up is because of my anxiety it actually makes me feel worse about myself and want to hide away i feel more at ease without make up... by no means do i think im even CLOSE to be considered pretty, thats not it at all.
I dont drink, i dont wear heels or anything open toed, i dont do anything fancy with my hair i just straighten it, i never bare skin in public due to my confidence
But do you think people will care?
I was watching YT on room tours and noticed girls took a ton of make up ect..
now i dont wear make up... ever... i tried once and i hated it and im worried that i go out during freshers or any other time and not wear make up people may think... i dont know that im weird and might not like me? I know its strange to think but it will make me stand out right, not wearing make up? I hate being noticed or standing out.
The reason i dont wear make up is because of my anxiety it actually makes me feel worse about myself and want to hide away i feel more at ease without make up... by no means do i think im even CLOSE to be considered pretty, thats not it at all.
I dont drink, i dont wear heels or anything open toed, i dont do anything fancy with my hair i just straighten it, i never bare skin in public due to my confidence
But do you think people will care?
I hardly ever wear makeup, just brush my hair in the morning (don't even dry it) and I hardly ever wear heels (I love them but I can't walk in them) and I have loads of friends. Anyone who cares isn't worth your time.
Original post by returnmigrant
Even if you aren't a drinker - go to the main Freshers Ball. Its a laugh, and you can drink coke all evening and no-one will even notice. Join up with a few other like minded (shy?) people you meet in the first few days and go together. Leave early if you want to - but go.
Even if you aren't a drinker - go to the main Freshers Ball. Its a laugh, and you can drink coke all evening and no-one will even notice. Join up with a few other like minded (shy?) people you meet in the first few days and go together. Leave early if you want to - but go.
kind of a weird question - but I have managed to secure a part time job near my uni already, and I've already agreed to work the weekend after the day of the fresher's ball! Will I miss out on much if I dont go to that event and try to go to most in the freshers week instead? thanks!
Original post by goobypls
Do these activities happen at all Unis because i've applied to Greenwich and Reading University
I live in Reading I'm pretty sure ice skating will happen given there i an ice rink in bracknell and another in basing stoke (both very local)
Hi there!
My name is Amy and I'm a student ambassador for the University of Reading and have just finished my second year studying Speech and Language Therapy. I just wanted to mention a couple of points about my experience during freshers week.
I think it's fair to say that I was petrified about coming to University. For a start I was older than most freshers (28) and worried that I was too old, from the wrong background, not clever enough, wouldn't be able to keep up with the partying etc etc. I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG!!
One of the amazing things about coming to uni has been that I have made friends from all walks of life and no one judges anyone else, it doesn't matter if you drink or not, wear lots of make up during the day or live in joggers 24/7 people just accept you for who you are.
I would advise going to the freshers and volunteering fayre - even if it's on your own! and attending taster sessions for different societies, you won't be under any obligations to join straight away. I discovered trampolining and made some awesome friends
Also don't be afraid to say know if you don't want to go out drinking, or do what your housemates are doing. You will probably find that others feel the same.
Above all be yourself and make the effort to talk to everyone you meet - you'll be surprised who you end up making friends with!!!
I hope this helps a bit and feel free to ask any questions.
Amy
Student Ambassador
Speech and Language Therapy
My name is Amy and I'm a student ambassador for the University of Reading and have just finished my second year studying Speech and Language Therapy. I just wanted to mention a couple of points about my experience during freshers week.
I think it's fair to say that I was petrified about coming to University. For a start I was older than most freshers (28) and worried that I was too old, from the wrong background, not clever enough, wouldn't be able to keep up with the partying etc etc. I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG!!
One of the amazing things about coming to uni has been that I have made friends from all walks of life and no one judges anyone else, it doesn't matter if you drink or not, wear lots of make up during the day or live in joggers 24/7 people just accept you for who you are.
I would advise going to the freshers and volunteering fayre - even if it's on your own! and attending taster sessions for different societies, you won't be under any obligations to join straight away. I discovered trampolining and made some awesome friends
Also don't be afraid to say know if you don't want to go out drinking, or do what your housemates are doing. You will probably find that others feel the same.
Above all be yourself and make the effort to talk to everyone you meet - you'll be surprised who you end up making friends with!!!
I hope this helps a bit and feel free to ask any questions.
Amy
Student Ambassador
Speech and Language Therapy
Original post by Katie_p
Just another bit of reassurance for everyone feeling that some of the replies here are quite hostile.
If you don't feel comfortable doing some things that are offered in Freshers Week, don't feel pressured into doing them. Whether it's because you don't drink, you don't like big crowds, you don't like loud music or whatever, if there is an event on that you know you don't want to go to, don't feel obliged to because you "won't make friends" otherwise.
Staying at home some nights (or even every night!) doesn't make you anti-social, or a loner. If you wander through Halls you'll find other people who didn't go to whatever events are on, because, like you, they didn't want to, or because they got too drunk pre-drinking and passed out, or because they had so much fun pre-drinking that they're still there. Most of these people will be happy to see you and will welcome you joining them with whatever they're doing!
I was worried about Freshers - I'm at Warwick so it was a fortnight - because whilst I drink, I'd never had more than a couple before, and I felt very uncomfortable around drunk people, esepcially strangers. I also hate clubbing and crowds and pretty much any "event" that the University had organised for Freshers.
I was lucky enough to have a quiet flat who stayed in most nights as well, so we played "tame" drinking games in our flat, or just chatted, and we bonded really well because of it.
I get that a lot of the time it's not "oh but I don't want to drink" that puts you off Freshers, it's the fact that most events seem to be geared around alcohol, you may have faced aggression over not drinking before and aren't sure what to expect at Uni, but also, you simply don't like being around drunk people. There's a difference between that and "not liking people who drink" or looking down on those people.
What I'm trying to say is, don't let people tell you that by not getting involved in events including alcohol you are sticking your nose in the air and considering yourself better than drinkers. Don't let people tell you that you have to put yourself out there and go ouside your comfort zone in order to make friends. Yes, it's good if you do get involved in events, and if you push your limits a bit, but you certainly don't have to do so. Staying in your room for the first week isn't to be advised, but staying in your flat, or your building, because that's what you're comfortable with, is nothing to be ashamed of.
Sorry for the essay, I just wanted to offer the advice that I know I would need if I'd just read some of these comments a month before starting Uni for the first time!
If you don't feel comfortable doing some things that are offered in Freshers Week, don't feel pressured into doing them. Whether it's because you don't drink, you don't like big crowds, you don't like loud music or whatever, if there is an event on that you know you don't want to go to, don't feel obliged to because you "won't make friends" otherwise.
Staying at home some nights (or even every night!) doesn't make you anti-social, or a loner. If you wander through Halls you'll find other people who didn't go to whatever events are on, because, like you, they didn't want to, or because they got too drunk pre-drinking and passed out, or because they had so much fun pre-drinking that they're still there. Most of these people will be happy to see you and will welcome you joining them with whatever they're doing!
I was worried about Freshers - I'm at Warwick so it was a fortnight - because whilst I drink, I'd never had more than a couple before, and I felt very uncomfortable around drunk people, esepcially strangers. I also hate clubbing and crowds and pretty much any "event" that the University had organised for Freshers.
I was lucky enough to have a quiet flat who stayed in most nights as well, so we played "tame" drinking games in our flat, or just chatted, and we bonded really well because of it.
I get that a lot of the time it's not "oh but I don't want to drink" that puts you off Freshers, it's the fact that most events seem to be geared around alcohol, you may have faced aggression over not drinking before and aren't sure what to expect at Uni, but also, you simply don't like being around drunk people. There's a difference between that and "not liking people who drink" or looking down on those people.
What I'm trying to say is, don't let people tell you that by not getting involved in events including alcohol you are sticking your nose in the air and considering yourself better than drinkers. Don't let people tell you that you have to put yourself out there and go ouside your comfort zone in order to make friends. Yes, it's good if you do get involved in events, and if you push your limits a bit, but you certainly don't have to do so. Staying in your room for the first week isn't to be advised, but staying in your flat, or your building, because that's what you're comfortable with, is nothing to be ashamed of.
Sorry for the essay, I just wanted to offer the advice that I know I would need if I'd just read some of these comments a month before starting Uni for the first time!
Great post.
At least this thread shows that hopefully there will be at least one other person thats similar to us. And to be honest staying in and playing 'tame' drinking games and actually being able to chat and get to know flat mates sounds a lot better than going out to a club with strangers you have just met and only able to communicate by shouting.
Good thread
Basically, you'll meet people VERY easily, so don't worry about that.
In fact, I don't remember much of my freshers week, but I woke up after every night with new numbers in my phone so people must be friendly
Don't worry about it.. whether you drink or not, it'll be the best experience of your life if you make the most of it.
Can't wait to do it all again next month
In fact, I don't remember much of my freshers week, but I woke up after every night with new numbers in my phone so people must be friendly
Don't worry about it.. whether you drink or not, it'll be the best experience of your life if you make the most of it.
Can't wait to do it all again next month
Original post by bumblebee342
It depends on whether you put yourself out there. I was super quiet starting uni and had never really found talking to new people that easy, if anything I'd found it uncomfortable. But I knew what I wanted out of freshers and living in halls (to meet people and make friends), so I made myself socialise with the people I was living with and my coursemates. I was fine and made friends, which I never expected, but it was only because I put myself out there. If you come out of your room and make an effort to interact with people you shouldn't have a problem - everyone's in the same position and you'll all be trying to make friends!
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
This is making me feel a lot less anxious. I guess I'm just worried people won't like me, but if I have enough friends now then I guess it can't be too hard making friends in uni if I just push myself. Gotta get out of my comfort zone, I guess. Thanks!
Original post by returnmigrant
If your anxiety is this serious (ie. you are describing this issue as 'significant') then talk to your GP before you arrive at Uni. You really do need to get a grip on this sort of thing before you leave home - its the sort of problem that can affect all sorts of relationships throughout your life - work, romance, family etc. and can seriously mess-up your time at Uni.
Any mental-health problem you have can only get exacerbated by the stress/newness of Uni. If you find even talking to 'someone you don't know' this problematic then First Year Uni really isn't a great idea. Go and talk to your GP or any mental-health professional you are already involved with, and get some practical help with these issues. Take a year out of you need to (defer your Uni place until 2015), but I really do advise you to get started on sorting these problems out and getting yourself 'well' before the onslaught of Uni.
Any mental-health problem you have can only get exacerbated by the stress/newness of Uni. If you find even talking to 'someone you don't know' this problematic then First Year Uni really isn't a great idea. Go and talk to your GP or any mental-health professional you are already involved with, and get some practical help with these issues. Take a year out of you need to (defer your Uni place until 2015), but I really do advise you to get started on sorting these problems out and getting yourself 'well' before the onslaught of Uni.
I think a lot of my anxiety revolves around school in particular. When I was a little kid my mum took me to the doctors and I can't remember his exact words, but I was "diagnosed" (I think, might be the wrong word) with either a school based anxiety/phobia. It's never really gone away, I just don't have hissy fits in the morning any more.
I'm going to uni in 2015 (hopefully!) so I have time to sort things out a bit. Unfortunately my family puts their reputation above our health, so that mixed with living in the country means I can't actually get professional help. I'm trying to get better as much as I can. Like, I'm pushing myself out of my comfort zone as much as I can. It sounds lame, but I managed to get the bus by myself, order my own food at a restaurant and I saved the new kid at school from the *******s. Like, I wouldn't have been able to do that a few years ago.
I'm going to do what you said as much as I can. I think I'm going to be plagued by mental illness my whole life so I might as well make the most of it. On the upside, if I get into the uni I want to go to then my brother will be there, so I can always go to his place and make him come round with me if I'm feeling antsy.
I rambled a bit, but thank you for your advice!
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- UoM freshers muslim (female)
- freshers flu
- starting uni welp
- My Fresher's at Northumbria University experience!
- student life and makeing friends
- Clubbing/social life at uni
- I dont want to go out dueing freshers week
- Can you still make friends at university living at home?
- Making friends at university.
- Kinda underwhelmed by Uni?
- Uni life
- Bristol Freshers Week
- I’m scared
- Autism at uni
- Making friends at uni
- Making friends at uni
- How do I make friends at University?
- Ways to make friends at university
- friends in uni
- Can’t find anyone doing my course
Latest
Trending
Last reply 2 weeks ago
Got a third in my second year and the highest I’ve achieved in third year was 55%Trending
Last reply 2 weeks ago
Got a third in my second year and the highest I’ve achieved in third year was 55%
