The Student Room Group

How do freshers events work?

I'll be going to uni in September and I was just wondering how do freshers events work when you first join. Like I'm guessing you first move into halls for a couple of days then the freshers event start? Or do they start on the first day of moving in? For my uni the freshers events it says the dates are between 25 sep-November so I'm guessing that means you can go anytime between those dates. Also do people generally go alone because like how would you have friends to go with already if the rave is on the first couple days. Also let's say someone didn't make friends/ get along with their dormates, woulf they just go alone? Another thing is let's say I did go out to the night events etc does everyone always drink/smoke? Also if you're not the raver type but still enjoy going out then what other things can u do in freshers week to make new friends?

Sorry for the waffle I'm just so confused

Reply 1

Original post by michaela001
I'll be going to uni in September and I was just wondering how do freshers events work when you first join. Like I'm guessing you first move into halls for a couple of days then the freshers event start? Or do they start on the first day of moving in? For my uni the freshers events it says the dates are between 25 sep-November so I'm guessing that means you can go anytime between those dates. Also do people generally go alone because like how would you have friends to go with already if the rave is on the first couple days. Also let's say someone didn't make friends/ get along with their dormates, woulf they just go alone? Another thing is let's say I did go out to the night events etc does everyone always drink/smoke? Also if you're not the raver type but still enjoy going out then what other things can u do in freshers week to make new friends?
Sorry for the waffle I'm just so confused

Hey @michaela001,

You've got some great questions here, so don't worry - it's completely normal to be a bit confused about the freshers process!

Most universities will have a 'freshers' week', sometimes called a Welcome Week, in which most of the dedicated university freshers events will take place - as you've mentioned above, this seems to begin on roughly the 25th September for your specific university. You'll likely have moved in a few days beforehand as it usually takes place in the first week of the academic term, so you'll hopefully have already been introduced to the majority of your flatmates and might be starting to get to know some of the people on your course. You can go to as many or as few events as you like, and universities typically try and ensure there's something for everybody: for example, if you're not big into raves, there could be movie nights, craft workshops, guided tours or other activities arranged throughout the week that might be more suited to your personality.

In terms of who to go with to freshers' events, it's really up to you! Lots of people I know have gone to events alone, and have had a great time; others bring flatmates, or go along with new people on their course as a way to break the ice. 🙂

Hope this was helpful, and best of luck starting university in September!
Eve (Kingston Rep).

Reply 2

Original post by Kingston Reps
Hey @michaela001,
You've got some great questions here, so don't worry - it's completely normal to be a bit confused about the freshers process!
Most universities will have a 'freshers' week', sometimes called a Welcome Week, in which most of the dedicated university freshers events will take place - as you've mentioned above, this seems to begin on roughly the 25th September for your specific university. You'll likely have moved in a few days beforehand as it usually takes place in the first week of the academic term, so you'll hopefully have already been introduced to the majority of your flatmates and might be starting to get to know some of the people on your course. You can go to as many or as few events as you like, and universities typically try and ensure there's something for everybody: for example, if you're not big into raves, there could be movie nights, craft workshops, guided tours or other activities arranged throughout the week that might be more suited to your personality.
In terms of who to go with to freshers' events, it's really up to you! Lots of people I know have gone to events alone, and have had a great time; others bring flatmates, or go along with new people on their course as a way to break the ice. 🙂
Hope this was helpful, and best of luck starting university in September!
Eve (Kingston Rep).


Thank you so much. It makes sense now 😊

Reply 3

Original post by michaela001
I'll be going to uni in September and I was just wondering how do freshers events work when you first join. Like I'm guessing you first move into halls for a couple of days then the freshers event start? Or do they start on the first day of moving in? For my uni the freshers events it says the dates are between 25 sep-November so I'm guessing that means you can go anytime between those dates. Also do people generally go alone because like how would you have friends to go with already if the rave is on the first couple days. Also let's say someone didn't make friends/ get along with their dormates, woulf they just go alone? Another thing is let's say I did go out to the night events etc does everyone always drink/smoke? Also if you're not the raver type but still enjoy going out then what other things can u do in freshers week to make new friends?
Sorry for the waffle I'm just so confused

Hi there,

Just to add on to what Eve has already said, if you are worried about getting on with your flatmates and you don't want to go to any of the events alone, you could always join some of the Facebook groups before you move to uni and see if you make friends with anyone this way. You may also be able to find out who some of your flatmates are and talk to them about freshers week so you won't be worried about whether or not you will get on with them and if you will be going out together. You may also meet some people that aren't your flatmates but you might make friends and you could also go out with the in freshers week too.

Or, you could see if you see anyone else around your accommodation in freshers week and see if they want to go out with you. Some people also knock on other flats doors and see if they want to join in with things they are doing so you could also do this if you wanted to. If your building has social spaces you may also meet some people this way as there will likely be people from your accommodation around there too!

I hope some of this helps and that you have a great time at uni!

Lucy -SHU student ambassador :smile:
Original post by michaela001
I'll be going to uni in September and I was just wondering how do freshers events work when you first join. Like I'm guessing you first move into halls for a couple of days then the freshers event start? Or do they start on the first day of moving in? For my uni the freshers events it says the dates are between 25 sep-November so I'm guessing that means you can go anytime between those dates. Also do people generally go alone because like how would you have friends to go with already if the rave is on the first couple days. Also let's say someone didn't make friends/ get along with their dormates, woulf they just go alone? Another thing is let's say I did go out to the night events etc does everyone always drink/smoke? Also if you're not the raver type but still enjoy going out then what other things can u do in freshers week to make new friends?
Sorry for the waffle I'm just so confused
Hi @michaela001,

Freshers’/welcome week usually starts a few days after students have moved in, so they have time to settle down and get to know their flatmates. There are many varied events so that everyone is included and have options of events to go to and socialise including night outs, movie nights or craft fairs.

It varies from person to person however, when I attended freshers’ fairs there were many people going with their flat mates or classmates but also on their own so it’s completely up to you and what you are most comfortable with.
Most universities have Facebook groups that you can join before moving out, both for accommodation and courses and that way you can get to know them a bit more and discuss freshers plans that way.

Hope this helps 😊

Zac - Final year Fashion promotion and marketing student
Original post by michaela001
I'll be going to uni in September and I was just wondering how do freshers events work when you first join. Like I'm guessing you first move into halls for a couple of days then the freshers event start? Or do they start on the first day of moving in? For my uni the freshers events it says the dates are between 25 sep-November so I'm guessing that means you can go anytime between those dates. Also do people generally go alone because like how would you have friends to go with already if the rave is on the first couple days. Also let's say someone didn't make friends/ get along with their dormates, woulf they just go alone? Another thing is let's say I did go out to the night events etc does everyone always drink/smoke? Also if you're not the raver type but still enjoy going out then what other things can u do in freshers week to make new friends?
Sorry for the waffle I'm just so confused

Hi @michaela001,
Usually the freshers events start from the day you move in and last about a week. Sometimes you can go to these events with your flatmates as it can be a great experience to get to know them better. However, if your flatmates aren't interested in attending these events, you could ask other flats within your accommodation block if they are going to these events.
On a night out, not everybody drinks and you still enjoy many of the events while being sober. Also the university will run lots of events throughout freshers week that don't include clubbing, these may be tours of the city, craft events, karaoke or quiz nights.
Hope this helps!
-Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Reply 6

Original post by michaela001
I'll be going to uni in September and I was just wondering how do freshers events work when you first join. Like I'm guessing you first move into halls for a couple of days then the freshers event start? Or do they start on the first day of moving in? For my uni the freshers events it says the dates are between 25 sep-November so I'm guessing that means you can go anytime between those dates. Also do people generally go alone because like how would you have friends to go with already if the rave is on the first couple days. Also let's say someone didn't make friends/ get along with their dormates, woulf they just go alone? Another thing is let's say I did go out to the night events etc does everyone always drink/smoke? Also if you're not the raver type but still enjoy going out then what other things can u do in freshers week to make new friends?
Sorry for the waffle I'm just so confused

Hi!
In my experience you are able to move into halls whenever you wish, generally people move in just before freshers so they can enjoy the full week. I would say its a mix of people going to events alone and making friends there (your likely doing an activity or something you all enjoy which is a great way to meet people with similar interests) or going with people you have met already. Not everyone drinks/smokes and it's definitely not necessary to make friends or have fun, there will be lots of other activities available during freshers week that don't involve this.

Hope this helps! Faye 🙂

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