Freshers' Week Guide

Freshers' Week is the welcome festival of the university year, and it is a mixture of fun, chaos, paperwork and new faces. It can be thrilling, and it can also be overwhelming. Some students love every minute. Others find it exhausting, or struggle with the social pressures. Knowing what to expect, and planning for the parts that matter to you, helps you enjoy the good bits and cope with the rest.

Formats vary a lot between universities, so check your own program. This guide describes common patterns and is general information.

What it is

Freshers' Week, sometimes called Welcome Week or Orientation Week, is the period at the start of term when new students arrive, settle in and meet each other. It usually includes:

• Administrative tasks, such as registration, ID cards and meeting your department.
• Welcome talks from the university and the students' union.
• A societies and clubs fair.
• Social events, including quizzes, concerts, film nights and parties.
• Tours and city introductions.
• Residence activities, if you live in halls.

Teaching often begins after the first week, though some courses start sooner.

Plan your first days

A little planning makes the week smoother.

1. Check your schedule for essential sessions, such as registration and departmental meetings.
2. Make a list of tasks: ID card, accounts, bank, doctor, transport.
3. Mark events you want to attend.
4. Leave gaps for rest.
5. Know the routes to key places.
6. Save contact numbers: your halls office, campus security and emergency services.

Do the essential tasks early. Social events will be there all week.

The societies fair

The fair is a big room or marquee with stalls from clubs and societies, and it is one of the best ways to find your people.

• Go with an open mind. You may find an interest you did not know you had.
• Sign up for several, and decide later which to keep.
• Ask about costs. Some societies charge a membership fee, and some activities cost extra.
• Check the time commitment.
• Look at the variety: sports, arts, academic, cultural, volunteering and hobby groups.
• Try a taster session.

Do not sign up for dozens of groups. A few activities you enjoy are better than many you do not attend.

Meeting people

Everyone is new, which makes this the easiest time to meet people.

• Say hello to your flatmates and neighbors.
• Leave your door open when you are in your room, if it feels comfortable.
• Join in with group activities in halls.
• Talk to people in queues and at events.
• Ask simple questions: what are you studying, where are you from?
• Be yourself.

If you do not click with the first people you meet, that is normal. Friendship groups often shift in the first term.

Social events and nights out

Freshers' events range from quiet to wild.

• Choose events you enjoy. You do not have to attend everything.
• Look for alternatives: film nights, quizzes, board games, sports, volunteering and cultural events.
• Set limits for alcohol and money. Peer pressure is common, but you can say no.
• Plan how you will get home, and travel with others.
• Look out for friends, and ask for help if someone is unwell.
• Know that many students do not drink or do not enjoy clubbing.

It is fine to leave early or skip an event. Your wellbeing comes first.

Staying safe

Safety is important, especially in a new place.

1. Keep your belongings secure, and do not leave drinks unattended.
2. Know the route home, and use safe transport.
3. Share your plans with a friend.
4. Keep your phone charged.
5. Know campus security numbers.
6. Understand consent, and respect others' boundaries.
7. Avoid taking risks you would not take at home.
8. Report problems to security or university staff.

If something goes wrong, there are services that can help, including welfare officers and the students' union.

Look after yourself

Freshers' Week can be tiring, and many students get ill, which is sometimes called freshers' flu.

• Sleep when you can, even if you miss an event.
• Eat regular meals and drink water.
• Keep some routine, such as exercise or a morning walk.
• Pace yourself, and take breaks.
• Wash your hands, and keep medicines handy.
• Know where the health center is.

If you start feeling low or anxious, talk to someone. Our guide to homesickness offers advice.

Money

It is easy to overspend in the first week.

1. Make a rough budget for the week.
2. Check the cost of events before you go.
3. Be careful with society fees and merchandise.
4. Buy only what you need for your room.
5. Avoid putting everything on credit.
6. Keep some money aside for books and essentials.

Look for free events, which are often plentiful in the first week.

If you are not enjoying it

Freshers' Week is not for everyone. If you feel out of place:

• Remember that many others feel the same, even if they do not say so.
• Find quieter activities that suit you.
• Take time alone, if you need it.
• Talk to a friend, family member or welfare officer.
• Do not judge the whole year by one week.
• Join something after the first week, such as a society that meets weekly.

Friendships are built over months, not days.

International students

International students often find Freshers' Week especially intense, since they are adjusting to a new country as well. Many universities offer international welcome events, buddy programs and orientation sessions. Attend them, since they cover practical matters such as visas, banking and health services, and they introduce you to others in similar situations. Join some local activities too, so that you meet a mix of people.

Preparing for teaching to start

As the week ends, get ready for classes.

• Check your timetable and room locations.
• Read your course information.
• Buy essentials, not all textbooks.
• Set up your study space.
• Plan your routine for the coming week.
• Get a good night's sleep.

Our guide to tips for new college students explains how to build a routine for the first semester.

A worked example

Imagine a student who is shy and nervous. In the first days, she attends the compulsory sessions and completes her registration. At the societies fair, she signs up for three groups, a walking club, a book club and a volunteering group. She goes to a quiz night with her flatmates and leaves early when she is tired. Later in the week, she attends a taster session for the walking club and chats with two people. By the end of the week, she has a handful of friendly faces and a plan for her activities.

She did not go to every event, and she did not need to.

Questions to ask yourself

1. Which events do I really want to attend, and which am I going to out of pressure?
2. How will I get home safely each night?
3. Which two or three societies would I enjoy most?
4. What do I need to get done before teaching starts?
5. Who can I talk to if I feel low?

Writing brief answers helps you shape a week that suits you, not just the crowd.

Keeping in touch with home

A short call or message each day can steady you, but try not to rely on it so much that you miss the chance to connect with new people. Tell family how the week is going, honestly, and ask them for patience if you are busy.

Common mistakes

• Missing essential admin sessions.
• Going out every night and getting exhausted.
• Overspending.
• Signing up for too many societies.
• Feeling pressured to drink.
• Judging the whole experience by the first days.
• Not looking after your health.

A quick checklist

• Have I completed registration and essential tasks?
• Have I chosen a few events and societies?
• Do I have a safety plan for nights out?
• Do I have a budget and a routine?
• Do I know where to get help?

Final thoughts

Freshers' Week is a chance to meet people and find your place, but it is not a test. Take care of the essentials, choose activities you enjoy and look after yourself. There is plenty of time for friendships to grow.