Freshers Week Tips
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Freshers' Week, from first hand experience:
Moving in/Meeting new people
- Get there early because otherwise it will take you days to unpack because you will be really busy!
- Make sure your door is open while unpacking so people can see you exist - guaranteed way to meet people.
- As soon as you know one person go round knocking on everyone's door in your flat/block. You will be less nervous in a pair and then you can meet quite a few people. Get them to join you on your rampage as soon as you meet a new person.
- When you first arrive, make your bed. Then when you get tired of unpacking/meeting people and don't want to unpack anymore you have a refuge for the night.
- Put things on the wall of your room straight away it helps you feel at home.
- Get something to use as a doorstop (suggestions include old cutlery, corkscrews and many more) to help with meeting people - also a big sign with your name on your room door.
- A big tin (say, Roses or Celebrations) filled with sweeties/biscuits/choccie bars will make everyone want to come round.
- Don’t be afraid to start up random conversations with people you just happen to be standing next to while waiting for something – that is how you make your new friends. Chances are, they're just as nervous as you and will welcome the chance to have a conversation without having to start it themselves!
- Get your computer set up so you can put on some music - nothing too controversial for the moment. You'd be surprised how many people will come and say "Hey! I love that song!" or use "Hey I heard the music earlier..." as a conversation starter.
- Plenty of smiling is needed!
- Try to meet as many people as possible, i.e. make good friends with those on your floor, but be on first name terms with everyone.
- If not everyone you live with is as friendly as you are, don’t worry. Don't assume that just because you live with someone you will get on with them. You’ll make plenty of friends outside of halls so you don’t have to feel like a social outcast!
- Go to as many social events and organised things as possible. It may be exhausting, and you're unlikely to remember everyone later, but the more people you meet now, the more you can say "Hey I remember you!" to later.
- Don't stop talking to random people just because freshers' week finishes... keep going and keep meeting people. As people settle in they will be more relaxed and everyone will feel less like they are on best 'friend-making' behaviour.
- Smile as much as you can, it is really attractive and nice.
- Make a T-Shirt with things such as your Name, Course, Where your from & Interests on it and wear it on the day you move in, it helps to relive any awkwardness
Getting to know the Uni
- Many unis publish Freshers' Week schedules on their websites or on the Students' Union website (you might also find people who know about them on TSR). Finding out what’s happening in advance might give you a headstart on what fancy dress outfits you need!
Going out
- Make sure you have some cash on your first night for drinks in the bar, there may not be a cash point close at hand.
- Have a few taxi numbers in your phone contacts, just in case.
- Going out is always a scary time for any fresher. It is the first time you will be going out with different people and your chance to meet new people. Once out it is easier to meet other people, a couple of vodkas can always help the situation aswell
- 2nd year and 3rd year students are always helpful as to which events to go to. They are also usually the people who are selling tickets for the different nights.
- You can look at the different nights which are available on the notice boards at University. TSR can also help you with the different nights out as students themselves update these things.
- Tickets always sell out for the most popular events so make sure you get them early!
- Girls, as daft as it may look, just bring a pair of flats in a bag and check it into the cloakroom if you're in heels. A Tesco bag will suffice. You can squeeze your coat- and a friends'- into a more presentable bag to save on the cost ;) This is especially so if your halls are miles away from the club (for instance, if you're at Uni in London). And nights out can last longer than anticipated- so you could be walking for hours in random places (if, say, the bus driver kicks you off for drunkenly laughing at him...). Carrying a large/Tesco bag is more dignified than waddling in agony. And less painful.
- If you're in London, make sure you've got enough credit on your Oyster card. The amount of valuable drinking/dancing time lost from waiting for a whole group to top-up is startling.
Money & Budgeting
- Don’t sign up for everything at your Freshers’ Fair if they want money straight away. Put your name down, go away and think about it.
- Plan your budget for Freshers week. Many people spend too much on alcohol and don't have much money left for other activities or for further on in the year, planning in advance always helps.
- Wear an extra layer of clothes on colder nights/days when you're home, snuggle up in socks and robes and throws for nights in so that you don't need the heating on full pelt. You could even watch telly in bed to keep warm to save on the heating. get a hot water bottle to huggle when the temperature drops.
Food
- Pal up with other roomies so you can buy in stuff like rice, pasta and quinoa in bulk or larger quantities at least.
- Also buy a selection of store cupboard essentials like salt, pepper, herbs, spices, cuppa soups, and other dried stuff you use on a regular basis.
- Try to keep in a few tins of beans and tomatoes and stuff like that for emergency meals.
- Eat together where possible...have a curry evening or a spag bol and take it in turns with your neighbours to host it....works out cheaper and if you host your meal and run out of cash for food later in the week, at least you know dinner is being provided by one of your mates!!
- When the winter sets in and gas and electricity are used more for heating etc, take it in turns to spend the evening in each others rooms so that you're not heating rooms for just one or two people. Take turns have TV nights with a few cans or whatever which again saves on fuel for heating and appliances. Maybe whoever hosts dinner could host the whole evening, each returning to their own rooms to sleep. Even if its only once or twice a week and you keep a roster for it, the savings on food and fuel could be significant.
- Cook more than you need and freeze some for another day....again, saves on fuel used for cooking.
- Invest in a decent set of pans. "General advice"-sounding, but you'll be surprised how many people will moan about their standard set. Or had to buy replacements.
- If your home is quite close to your uni, and you're worried about your standard of cooking, ask your parents nicely to cook-> place in a tupperware box-> freeze some wholesome meals. Defrost accordingly. You'll find you're not the only one who'll do this.
- Try and do your shopping online. As fun as popping to the supermarket will be during Freshers' Week, it'll soon become a chore. The carrying of heavy bags itself should put you off. Whilst online, you tend to know what you want and are subsequently less likely to buy every item that catches your eye. The delivery cost is reasonable. And you can always order with another flatmate. The amount you'll actually save from not wasting food will shock you. Also, it's not as time consuming as going to the supermarket will be.
Staying safe
- ALWAYS let people know where you're going and who with.
- They say that theres safety in numbers so try and stick with a group of people.
- Familiarise yourself with the new area before going out, theres nothing like being lost, in the dark, on your own!
- Use taxi's or even buses in bigger cities to get to and from places if your unsure of the area
- Have a friend call you at a certain time to check you're OK if out alone or with someone you don't know well.
- Have a contact on speed dial in case of emergencies.
- Save a number in your phone for your next of kin saved under ICE (In Case of Emergency) 'just in case' as the emergency services may look for it in order to gain a contact number.
- NEVER leave your drinks unattended at any time.
- If you expect you might have a bit of a wild night, be sure to carry a condom or two 'just in case'. this one is for boys AND girls! You can get a free stash from many health centres and Brook clinics.
- Sign up with a GP and dentist as soon as you can.
- Indoors, make sure you know your GP's number and keep it where you can easily find it in case you're unwell.
- Worse case scenario; If you feel threatned or are attacked in any way make LOTS OF NOISE! It will scare off people and alert people to you!
Other comments
- Wear comfortable shoes to the endless registration meetings, you will be queueing for quite a while.
- Remember to take things like pens and your diary with you to registration and the Freshers' Fair if there is one - it'll help you to keep track of what you've signed up for / email addresses / websites etc.
- Get ready to embrace the age-old custom of queueing all day in order give a piece of paper to someone and then get your photo taken!
- Always make sure you carry all the right paperwork and ID to all the registration events, and always make sure you are in the right queue - saves time later
See Also
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