‘Tis the Season for Fresher's Fever

The time for a new era has finally arrived, and whether you’re eager to escape from home or busy treasuring last memories of sibling scraps, moving to university is a whole different rollercoaster of emotions. Whilst last month’s blog gave a brief overview of things to bring for your next adventure, this month I’ll be writing some top tips on how to handle freshers week!

First things first- freshers week will not look like a movie. No matter how many American films you’ve seen of wild parties, toilet papered houses and great big sports halls with societies for every possible thing under the sun, this will most likely not be your reality. Of course, everybody’s experience of university differs (my apologies if you end up in a toilet papered frat house) but having more realistic expectations of your first week in a new place would be pretty handy before you start. It’s not everyday that you have to live in a completely different house or flat and city by yourself, so it can certainly be a very overwhelming and disorientating time. 

Make sure, in between all the clubbing and socials, that you take some time alone to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings. From the kitchen to the city centre, it’s likely the environment will be completely new and lack familiarity. Don’t be afraid of recharging your social battery and saying ‘no’ to some nights out because you’re mentally and physically exhausted. There is so much activity and buzz around freshers week, it really would be impossible to do everything and still be feeling A-okay at the end of it.

There is no rush to make friends or join every society which offers you a free tote bag. This week is only just a taster of how much is offered. So again, be realistic with what you can actually do. If you’re as indecisive as me, don’t try pretending to join every society and just choose one’s you know will fit with your schedule. Don’t be afraid to try out new things (that’s what freshers week is about) but at the same time, do what you feel happy doing. Use the liberty of this new life to make choices which you know will make you feel good about yourself afterwards- you’re already being thrown into the deep end with a completely new setting and people so don’t back away from gravitating to things that comfort you. Watch your favourite TV show, make your special snack- nobody really expects you to be trying something new every second.
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With that said, there are so many opportunities to get involved in clubs, meet your flatmates, neighbours and talk to others. Will you be sick of asking people what their name is and which subjects they’re taking? Yes. Will you forget people’s names the moment they say them? Probably. But don’t beat yourself up for thinking you have a brain like a sponge, it’s all part of the fresher’s fun and it’s completely normal. Take the transition into university easy, and enjoy the journey!

AUTHOR

Anisha Minocha is studying English and Philosophy at the University of St Andrews. She is a passionate writer and poet whose work has been published in anthologies, magazines, blogs and won competitions. Contributing to Sink Magazine, she is keen to utilize the voice of young people and share work through her creative writing blog.  As a climate activist, she has combined her love for words and the planet in a performance of spoken word at the Royal Exchange Theatre in 'Letters to the Earth'. She also co-runs Young Friends of the Earth: Manchester and has organised workshops, participated in panels and spoken at Manchester Cathedral.