If you’re starting university later this year, Freshers’ Week will be one of the most exciting (and daunting) times of your uni experience – maybe even your life!
This might be your first time living away from home in a new town or city, and you may not know anyone else you’re living with - all of which can feel scary but it’s also a huge opportunity.
The key thing to remember is that everyone is in the same position as you, so usual social norms don’t necessarily apply. It’s not going to be weird if you say hi to people you don’t know, knock on random people’s doors and invite them for drinks in your kitchen. It’s Freshers’ Week! This will never happen again!
Keeping this in mind, here’s a handy bucket list of the things you should do (or at least, be prepared to do) in your first seven days at uni.
Get freshers’ flu
Look, let’s get this out of the way early on. It’s going to happen. You might as well embrace it.
Arrange and rearrange your new bedroom
Spend way too long wondering which posters to put on the walls and which books to put spine-out on the shelf to send the right message to visitors about Who You Are.
Meet as many people as you can and get all their numbers
At the end of the year, look back through your phone and wonder who on earth ‘Karim Uni’ and ‘Lizzie Freshers’ are.
Attend the freshers’ fair and accept every flyer that comes your way
Now is the time to try new things. Grab everything you can and sift through the pile later. Keep your options open. Plus, there are usually loads of discounts and freebies to be had if you take the time to read through them.
Put your name on every society sign-up sheet you can get your hands on
Ditto above. You can always unsubscribe from the emails later. If you really don’t want to put your email address down, you could always use the email address of one of your new mates - but be warned, they might not stay your mate for long after being bombarded with Lord of the Rings Society emails.
Actually join at least one of the clubs or societies you put your name down for
Be open-minded. Viking Society? Knitting Club? Ultimate Frisbee? The world is your oyster. You never know who you’ll meet or what talent you’ll uncover.



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