Freshers Week is often renowned as being the most memorable week of your life, and with good reason too.
While this may be true in some cases, a sizeable minority may not remember much – due to the effects of alcohol! Your University experience wouldn’t be the same without the initiation of Freshers Week. So in this article, we look at 13 inevitable things that will happen during the week.
1. You will meet new friends
Upon making it to University, and meeting your flatmates, you will immediately be thrust into the University experience.
Be prepared for your parents to inevitably embarrass you, as well as the somewhat awkward small talk.
But once the pleasantries are out the way, it won’t be long before you start seeing others. In some cases, this might be the start of a special friendship!
2. You will have an emotional goodbye with your parents
After years of being together, it is time to step away.
But of course, it won’t be easy to bid farewell.
3. You will have a sudden realisation of how alone you are
Alone in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people, it is a difficult position to be in.
While difficult to begin with, it won’t be long before you meet new people, and forget the word “alone” ever existed.
4. You will meet hundreds of new people
A bit similar to the above, during the week, you are likely to meet all manner of people.
You’ll see them at clubs, in town, at course introductory talks, fairs, and anything else.
Despite meeting so many people, many will hardly remember any of their names.
5. You will get lost… temporarily
In your new surroundings, it is easy to get lost! Whether it is done on a night out, in a mazy University building, or even in your halls of residence.
It will just be temporary though, and firing up Messenger or WhatsApp will normally result in your SOS call being answered by a friend.
6. You will sign up for everything at the Freshers Fair
For weeks you have been told in pre-arrival emails to join societies, as they offer a chance to meet like-minded people, and have fun.
People may suggest to sign up for a lot of different ones – and there’s every chance that you’ll take this advice a little too literally.
You’ll find yourself bombarded with emails about societies you forgot you even signed up for.
7. You will hear about gap years
Unfortunately, you’ll probably come across some people that believe the fact that they have gone travelling before University means that we should all worship the ground they walk on.
Expect to hear tales of how they “found themselves” when travelling, or went there as a boy, and came back a man. Or maybe they fought a rhino and managed a knock-out blow.
Learning to feign interest is a good skill!
8. You will witness a kitchen disaster
It is also inevitable that the combination of a new group of people who might be cooking for the first time, and equipment that they aren’t used to – will result badly.
But it’s all a learning curve, and after all, as long as you don’t start a fire with your pasta, it’s all good!
9. You will receive frantic messages from your parents
Bless your parents – they will worry about you.
But be prepared to be bombarded with a raft of messages from your parents, aunt, uncle, dog, extended family and more, should you dare not answer a text within a few minutes.
10. You will feel the immense joy of receiving a Student Loan
There are few feelings like it – just remember to go steady at the start!
It is common for there to be a lot of offers that aim to entice students to part with their cash – but spend wisely.
That money has to last!
11. You will consume pizza
Whether it is a midnight walk to Dominos, a group outing to Pizza Hut, or receiving a takeaway, pizza is normally consumed in freshers week!
And if you are struggling a bit, then pizza makes everything better.
12. You will struggle with Freshers Flu
Most enter University thinking “freshers flu” is a myth, but unfortunately – as many will find out – it is very real.
We won’t go into the science behind it, but the statistics suggest you will come down with what is affectionately known as “freshers flu”.
A rite of passage, some might say.
13. You will eventually find your feet!
Ths list above includes both good and bad things.
But regardless of the bad – by the end of the week, you will have found your feet – and will be ready for whatever life and University has to throw at you!
And if you didn’t quite have the experience you were hoping for, the good news is that you’ll get to do it all over again next year!
