Top Tips for Fresher’s Week and Beyond
It seems hard to believe, but the summer is nearly over and Fresher’s Week is fast approaching! Before you let the fear creep in, take a look at our ultimate guide to Welcome Week below to make sure that you’re feeling nothing but excitement on the day. We’ve also included some top tips on what to do after the excitement of Fresher’s fade, from registering at a GP to tackling the dreaded Fresher’s flu.
What you need to do before you arrive at university
Packing: Packing can feel overwhelming! It’s good to start as early as you can and using the checklists on sites such as UCAS and Save the Student might be helpful.
Student bank account: You’ll also want to set up a student bank account to ensure your tuition fees and finances are sorted. Many also come with some great perks!
Check your university emails: Before you head to Fresher’s Week, it’s probably best to check your emails for any updates on registering and moving into your halls of residence on the day. It’s also handy to keep an eye on your emails to make sure you are up to date with all the information on Fresher’s events and nights out. You might also want to familiarise yourself with your timetable whilst you have a chance!
What you need to do when you arrive at university
Arrive early: This may sound a little eager, but it’s always best to arrive as soon as your student halls permit, the more time you have to acclimatise yourself to student life and settle in before Fresher’s week, the better. This added time will also give you a chance to get to know your flatmates! Although the nerves of moving out for the first time will make you want to stay at home, try to move as soon as possible. Even if you don’t meet your best friends, having people you know will prove so beneficial.
Be open to meeting new people: Try to be as open and friendly as possible right from the start. Make sure your door is always propped open and investigate any nattering you hear in the hallways. It seems daunting, but everyone is in the same position and will most likely be relieved if you try to start a conversation! Once you have a couple of friends, use safety in numbers to meet some other people.
Unpack as soon as possible: The speed and intensity of fresher’s week can mean that you don’t have time to unpack properly. A clean, tidy and homely room can help combat homesickness so make your room your own right from the start!
Make the most of the support offered to you: You will be surrounded by welfare officers, student peers and resident assistants who are there to help you and it’s definitely worth finding out how to contact them or find their office on campus. They’ve been in your exact position so will know exactly what you’re going through.
Fresher’s Week and beyond
Make the most of Fresher’s Week: Head to the social events, hit up the Fresher’s fair, sign up for some societies and scoop up as many freebies as you possibly can.
Familiarise yourself with your new city: The best thing you can do during or after Fresher’s Week is to familiarise yourself with your surroundings, seek out a few pubs, cheap restaurants, your lecture theatres, transport links, a corner shop, a park, gym and anything else that will come in handy during your time at university.
Create a budget and stick to it: Managing your own money for the first time can take a bit of getting used to, but make sure you don’t blow your loan on the day you get it (it’ll be a very long month…) Setting aside how much you want to spend on groceries, travel expenses, learning resources and entertainment is a must. This is particularly due to the huge price increases with the recent cost of living crisis.
Living at University
Try to get along with your flatmates: Although it can be very daunting, especially if you’re an introvert, it makes living with other people so much easier. They don’t have to be your best friends (a ten-minute conversation whilst you’re both cooking dinner will suffice), but having a civil relationship is the key to a happy household. Following on from this, make sure you contribute to your flat’s wellbeing. Cleaning the kitchen and bathroom and taking out the bins from time to time is a sure way to avoid drama.
Have a good diet: It can be difficult to maintain a consistent diet once you no longer have the luxury of homemade meals so make use of meal plans and budgeting!
Staying safe: Make sure you know your limits around alcohol, eat beforehand and stay with friends during nights out. It might be worth checking with your university to see if they have any options for a night bus to campus from key clubbing points.
Register with a doctor: This should be one of the first things you do when you get to university and can sometimes even be done online before you arrive. It’s likely you will get Fresher’s flu, so make sure you get some rest, top up on paracetamol, and drink lots of water. Unfortunately it’s just part of the university experience…
There are a lot of things to think about before, during and after moving to university. Hopefully this blog will help guide you through this exciting journey, from packing and setting up a student bank account, to arriving in your new city, making the most of Fresher’s week and settling into university life. It can take a while to adjust, but just be patient with yourself and remember that everyone else is in the same boat.
