Freshers Week Tips
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TSR Wiki > University > Freshers 2009 > Fresher's Week Tips
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 everyones 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.
- Girls - If you're looking for a way to get to know your other female housemates (or male, whatever floats your boat) and fancy being creative at the same time. Get some Fimo or similar (modelling clay) and some jewellery fixtures.
- 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.
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.
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. But not rice as this is one of the worst culprits for food poisoning if its kept....always cook fresh rice and throw any remains away.
Staying safe
- ALWAYS let people know where you're going and who with.
- 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.
- 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.
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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