So it begins! The chaos before the chaos. You finally got into your dream university, which will be a rollercoaster ride. You only move out once; this journey can be overwhelming but worth the hype. It's a week full of excitement, adventure, and several opportunities to establish lasting friendships. University life will be a journey of filling up your time capsule with lifelong friendships, drunk memories and sleepless nights. Organizers meticulously design Freshers Week to catch the hearts and minds of new students, much like a great blog introduction. So, if you're a new student, get ready to enjoy the energy and excitement of Freshers Week - it's your stepping stone to an unforgettable college experience.
What is Freshers Week?
Freshers Week, also known as Welcome Week or Orientation Week, is an exciting time for college and university students since it signifies the start of a new academic adventure. It is usually held at the beginning of the academic year and is intended to assist freshmen in adjusting to campus life. This week-long event includes a variety of activities, workshops, and social events designed to familiarize students with the campus, their peers, and the academic atmosphere. Furthermore, Freshers Week sometimes includes introductory lectures and seminars to help students prepare for their significant courses. Freshers Week's purpose is to establish a friendly and inclusive environment that eases the transition from high school to higher education.
What Happens in Freshers Week?
This orientation period lasts from a week to two, and you get settled in their student accommodation and explore their university, campus, classmates, flatmates, and your town. Universities conduct many fests, workshops, and activities for students to explore, meet new people, and try new things.
Also, how can we forget about the fresher's party?
1. The Freshers Party
The task for a fresher's party is a time when you can go wild. It is an infamous period when freshers' parties take place, and students dance the week away till the club can’t even handle them. But, entries at the parties arranged at clubs cost you, so make you not burn large holes in your pocket. Partying can be a great way to socialize and make new friends in the long run.
PS- University life is not a Tomorrowland concert. There are freshers events beyond the fresher’s party.
2. Freshers week for non-drinkers
Who said loving your liver a little more can put you into boredom? You can enjoy the freshers' events being sober as much as your fellow drinking buddies. After all, freshers week does not revolve around drinking at the fresher’s party. You can still hit the club and enjoy while sober; dancing is fun either way. Also, you might get your hands on embarrassing stories about your friends, which will be assets for your future (just a tip).
For ones who are not night owls, there are many things on your plate, too. You can invest your time in the ‘freshers fairs’ that the universities arrange, and you can enroll yourself in a book club or a drama club. You can go out to cafes or other music festivals, and you might cross paths with like-minded people with shared interests.
Things to Do in Freshers Week
After all the hard work and manifestation, you are finally here. Your university life will be like and much more than you expected. Getting to know your university is exactly why freshers week is conducted. It gives you the chance to know what the university offers and a teaser for the rest of the uni-movie. Freshers week is undoubtedly one of the best ways to make friends. It proves to be a great platform to get to know the people you’ll be spending your crucial years with. Also, conversations at parties over drinks and events can really lead to some unbreakable bonds.
1. Talk
Just take a leap and start talking to people. Ask your roommate for a walk or cook brunch together. There might be chances that your roommate is just as homesick as you are. Watching movies together, shopping for groceries and taking long walks can be great stress busters.
2. Join clubs
Join some clubs or societies you like, and there you have a ready-made topic for breaking the ice with your fellow members. It can be a book club, movie club, or dance club; the world is your oyster. Socialize, romanticize your life!
3. Explore your university and the town
You won‘t just be traveling from your university to your student accommodation. You are starting a new life in a new city or country. Step outside and explore! Go for a walk in the garden nearby, or try out that coffee place down the street. Who knows, within the time you become a regular there. You can rent a bike with your friends or roommates and ride along the streets. Also, freshers events are the time to figure out the public transport routes to the university or around the city. Always make sure to download offline maps on your mobile phone so that you do not get lost.
4. Settle in
Moving on-campus or off-campus is still an overwhelming task. Bags still packed, boxes lying around, and probably being jet-lagged are your cues to breathe in and start settling in. Unpack your boxes, decorate your room and give it a homely feel. Check out the amenities your student accommodation provides and the common cooking area because that’s where the magic will happen, and you will get a chance to socialize more. After all, this will be your home away from home for a couple of years.
Tips to have fun to the fullest at Freshers Week
All the drunk nights, stress about settling in, crippling anxiety about living an independent life or a pang of feeling homesick might drain your energy. Staying sane and healthy during freshers week is very important as it boosts your uni-life. It is fun being a rule-breaker or rebel, but a little caution won’t do any harm but lead to more fun.
1. Fund my life
Money during student life is never easy to come, but always easy to go. We know that you are excited to finally not have a 10 pm curfew or have to leave the party with panic as soon as dad calls. But it is very important to keep a tab on your expenses and not lose control. Drinking till you can’t feel your face may end up with you not being able to feel your bank balance.
It is crucial to manage and budget your freshers events wisely, as being broke at the start of the first semester is not cool. You can check our blog on how to manage finances as a student so that budgeting becomes easy for you. Here are some tips that will save you from going broke at the start of the term.
1. Always keep the cash - This is one of the best ways to save money. Even though you still have online payment methods, keeping a credit card might not be a good option. It is advisable to keep only cash for the amount you decide to spend the night. Drunk choices are never the best, and this way, you might save yourself from buying drinks for the house.
2. Cook yourself - Cooking your own meals can save you a lot of money and is a healthy option. Going to shop for your own food supplies can be fun. Also, cooking together can be a fun bonding activity with your roommate. You need to try some of the easy recipes for students.
3. Freebies for freshers - Many students get a hamper known as ‘ Freshers Pack’ when they move into their residency halls. The hamper contains food and vouchers, which can come in handy.
4. Explore student discounts - Take advantage of the many student discounts available to you. From transportation and entertainment to groceries and clothing, countless places offer special rates for students. Make sure to always carry your student ID, as it can help you save a significant amount of money on everyday purchases and activities.
2. Shoo loneliness?
Moving to a new place can be one of the best experiences. It means stepping out of your comfort zone and entering the real world. Sometimes, the process of moving out can get daunting and lonely. Freshers events are a great way to socialize and make new friends. Socializing can be an overwhelming task for some but remember you are not alone, and others might feel the same as you.
As Barney says, “Whatever you do in this life, it’s not legendary unless your friends are there to see it.”
3. Health me up
Hey there, chugger! You are down a pint or twenty-two because who counts? But drinking responsibly is the key as we do not want to make The Hangover a four-part movie. Make sure you stay hydrated and eat healthy to balance your body and lifestyle. Keep the fluids flowing and your stomach full. Party hard but study harder. Make sure to keep the systems running healthy.
4. Study o’clock
It is now time to tame that party animal inside you and get back on track. After all, partying isn’t the primary reason we're here, is it? Make sure you attend the induction conducted by the university along with the freshers fair and fresher’s party. It is time to get your A game out and hustle for the As in your tests and exams to ace your degree course. Make sure to start and make notes every day so that during exams, all that’s left is revision. Because remember, no matter how passionately you believe, you cannot mug up the whole semester in one night.
You will enjoy every bit of your freshers events and your university life. For new college students, Freshers Week signifies the start of an exciting chapter. It's a time for meeting new friends, learning about new groups and organizations, and immersing oneself in the academic atmosphere. Freshers events set the tone for the next few years, fostering a sense of belonging and community that will be appreciated throughout their academic career. Fasten your seatbelts because this is going to be one hell of a ride. We hope this blog spiked your excitement levels higher and was helpful.