In many ways, giving advice about what to do during fresher’s is like explaining how to eat pizza: it all comes naturally and in any case it’s gone before you know it.
But there are some things you can keep in mind to get the most out of those amazing and sure as hell confused first weeks.
1. Have your door open, music on and some booze/food to share
Chances are, the first people you’ll meet will be in your halls of residence and it’s a good idea to make your place seem welcoming so passers by don’t mind dropping in.
Alternatively, being a bit prepared means everyone can have a good place to crash at the end of the night. Food and drink don’t have to be fancy: just a few beers and a packet of crisps is enough really. And music-wise, there is no shame.
The trashier, cheesier, popier, more 80 & 90s filled the playlist is the better: Avril Lavigne – Girlfriend, S Club 7, Five, Backstreet Boys, Queen; you get the idea. Muppet songs are great too. Nobody’s really judging and you can always name drop some actual music later if you feel the need to look like you actually have taste despite Britney playing.
2. Use the 7 question ice breaker
One of the cooler guys I meet at uni has this little tactic to avoid the usual round of ‘What course are you doing?’ ‘Where are you from?’ ‘What A levels did you do?’, usually followed by looking at your feet and wondering when the real conversation starts.
Basically, get all of them out of the way in one go so: 1/ Name 2/A Levels, 3/Course, 4/Hometown 5/Origin 6/Which halls of residence 7/ … Something something darkside. Speeds things up and makes those first awkward minutes fun rather than just functional.
3. Talk to everyone especially the ones you don’t know
Honestly, it’s hard to be shy during fresher’s- at the very least people will talk at you. Smile, laugh, joke, get drunk, repeat and you’ll end up with some people you like.
But what can happen is you get ‘stuck’ with the same group of people you get along well with (the horror), and while that’s one of the best parts of uni, there are a lot of very cool people out there and if you don’t meet them in the first month or so they’re already going to be in their social cliques.
So meet them now so you can know if you want to get to know them more later. And it may turn out that those cool people you’ve been hanging out with for the past few days are mad cat sacrificing cultists. Or something.
4. Try to go to everything and don’t mind not having any real plan
Straight forward right? It’s fresher’s for crying out loud! You don’t want to be sitting by yourself in a corner, twiddling your thumbs.
Problem is more that you’ll have too many events you want to go to and too little time. Plus, even the best presented event calendar will be confusing; apart from anything else, you won’t even know where the places really are.
What will happen is you’ll go to the first event, introductory lecture or something like it, and then end up going with the flow from there. But still try to go to the events that actually caught your interest even if it may mean breaking from the crowd: you’ll meet other like-minded, equally confused people and enjoy yourself.
Getting out there when feeling under-prepared is part of the joy of fresher’s.
5. Get drunk, not trashed
This is something that most fresher’s, and probably you reading this now, will ignore and it’s not too much of a shame that they will. If there’s any point in your life when you’re quote unquote “allowed” to get stupidly drunk it’s fresher’s. But Still. You’ll enjoy yourself more if you respect your limits and don’t have to spend a day passed out in your bed.
6. Beware fresher’s flu
Part of the reason why you need to be careful with the booze is that everyone and their dog is liable to get fresher’s flu and so be put out of the running for a week. You’re not sleeping eating or drinking properly so getting sick is almost inevitable if you don’t watch out.
Symptoms are swaying gently while standing up, feeling terrible, sneezing and coughing miserably and only ever wanting to sleep. Have an orange or a smoothie every so often, lemsip the moment you feel a bit woozy and wrap up just a bit.
7. Truth or Dare and Never Ever have I Ever are devil’s games
It starts out fun with someone suggesting a drinking game and someone else Never Ever have I Ever; you feel pleasantly buzzed so, why not? For those who don’t know, these games involve telling an embarrassing story and drinking (basically).
Thing is, fresher’s is the time for first impressions and unless you want strangers to know you as the guy who made out with a goat or the girl who saw her parents doing S&M (I wish I was making this up) then be careful.
From personal experience, you can end up being introduced to everyone afterwards with the preface “Hi this is Tobias and he’s done X”. Lie if you need to.
8. Join Clubs
Freshers week is a great time to discover clubs and societies, find something you love, or try different things. This is a great way to make new friends at uni.
9. Take Advantage of Discounts
Freshers Fairs are a great way to grad tons of vouchers and student discounts on a range of things from food, entertainment, travel and much more.
10. Remember you still have the rest of the year
Even if fresher’s can seem like a big huge thing beforehand, it’s gone quickly and in some ways you won’t even notice it’s over until about a month and it hits you that you’re actually in uni now. And a lot of what you meant to but failed to do during fresher’s you can catch up on later, so don’t worry! Fresher’s can seem bigger than it need be. Meeting the people is the important bit.
Finally, most importantly: enjoy yourself. You’re going to love it.