10 things to do during Freshers Week

As a two time fresher and former student services and student union employee (I know, I was really living the dream) I thought it would be a good idea to share some tips for the all important freshers week. I absolutely loved freshers week, so much so that I lived like a fresher for the first week of every year. As a first year it’s a chance to get stuck into everything ‘uni’ - explore the city, get to know your course, your tutors, other students etc. For second year+ you can get back into the mindset of being a student again, whether thats by getting a head start on an assignment or by enjoying the night life. Whatever works for you, no judgement!

1.Enrol

It’s actually hilarious that this was one of the last things I thought of for this post as it’s actually the most important. Enrolling is basically the process to let the university know that you have arrived and wish to do the course. At my university if you didn’t enrol by the deadline your account was deactivated and it was a whole ‘thing’ so try to avoid that.

The enrolment process should activate your student loan to be released on schedule, you will get your student card to get around university, to use as ID and for any discounts and the last thing which for a fresher might be at the top of the list - you get your freshers wristband. I know it might be easy to forget this very important step but just get it out of the way.

Just to note as well, some universities allow you to do most of the enrolment online before you even arrive so all you have to do is pick up your student card and wristband and go and enjoy your freshers week!

2.Go to the freshers fair

Like a lot of students I absolutely love freshers fair. For me it was like trick or treating on Halloween, you walk around with a big tote bag (free) and fill it up with other free stuff, whilst taking in all the important information of course...

Freebies aside (for now) it's a chance to start something new or continue an interest from your hometown with likeminded students at university. A lot of freshers fairs will be set out almost like a market which different stalls for different societies, sports, student nights, student discounts etc. A society by the way is basically a student led group that share an interest and want to meet up and share that every so often.

Its a great social activity as its often one of the first things you and your house/flat mates do as group as you haven't started your classes yet. You will also get to talk to presidents and members of the different societies so maybe do some research on what is on offer and you'll be able to get the most out of the fair.

If however, you get caught up in all the freebies (there will be a lot, definitely take advantage) you can also contact the societies after the fair as they will usually have a facebook, email instagram etc, just remember to take a mental note of anything you're interested in.

3.Join the Architecture Society

As an Architecture Student this is fairly basic. In my first year the Architecture society was great, the 3rd year president gave talks every so often to first and second years about what was going on or what was being offered, we had workshops, guest lectures and trips. During my years at uni I went away to Amsterdam twice with the society, not included in the price of the course but for me it was definitely worth it. Once my first president left the Architecture society went a bit downhill and if you join your society when it’s not as good as it could be, it’s a great opportunity to make it better. It's great to have a more social group in the world of what can be very deadline/work focused and you can also put it on your CV.

4. Join a non-Architecture Society

This is a great opportunity to have an activity and some friends outside the world of architecture. As you know, or will soon find out, the Architecture course can be quite intense with a different interest you can push the course to the back of your mind which is definitely something to consider. I personally had some great ideas for projects when I was away from the course and not forcing myself to thinking about it.

It’s something I wish I did earlier during my architecture education. I had various part time jobs but I didn’t join a society until first year of my Masters (Thai Boxing if you were wondering), I wish I had looked into it before as it was incredibly fun and got a lot of frustration out as you can imagine. I would recommend a sport, get some fun and exercise in - but if sport is not or your thing then there will be a different society for you, and if there isn’t - create one!

5. Go to your induction classes

Freshers week is great, have fun, explore etc, but make sure you are in fact ready for uni. You don’t want the first Monday to come around and you have not got a clue what’s going on and have missed out on something vital for the year. There might have been a pre-arrival task for you to do, remember to do it and bring it in - it’s a chance for your tutors to see the course as a group and for you to figure out what your tutors are like.

Check your timetable for any seminars or lectures, it will be usually be available online or you might have been emailed a separate timetable for your freshers week. This is also a great time to get to know your university campus. (see below)

6. Know your university campus

You’ll have a good idea of this from your induction classes but check your timetable for the academic year for any places you haven’t been. There might be a sneaky lecture theatre tucked away - I had a lecturer who let you off for being late for the literally only the first class and then sent late people away anytime after that so best not to risk it!

As well as where you’ll be doing the majority of your learning it’s best to know where other facilities are as well. The library being number one - I don’t know about other courses but I spent a ridiculous amount of time in the library - helps to know exactly where the architecture books are and find a good study space and maybe start early and find some books to take out before you even start. (Be careful of fines 🙄)

Other facilities to locate would be anywhere to grab food, shops nearby that sell model making materials or sketchbooks etc, printing/binding shops. You can of course find these as you study but takes one thing of the list early on!

7. Socialise in anyway you feel comfortable

Before I started uni I was not necessarily someone you would see ‘out’ at night, I didn’t really go clubbing or anything but that changed during freshers week. Fresher reps went round to first year flats and took anyone that wanted to go on student nights at various clubs and bars across the city. I took full advantage of this and there are many photos and videos of me with not a care in the world chanting away.

You do however have a choice, you can go out, drinking, partying etc or most universities will have non-drinking activities on as well. Movie nights, game nights, day trips out of and around the city. Different fresher experiences but both with the same goal, becoming part of the university community, meeting new people. making friends and getting comfortable in your new environment!

8. Explore the your university city

Even if you’re staying on your hometown, the city will feel different at uni and if you’re completely new to the city then everything will need to be explored. You’ll most likely do a great deal of exploring during your inductions, nights out, days out etc, but remember you will be living in this city as well. You need to know where to shop for any essentials, clothes, food etc, locate the closest doctors (this will usually be the university doctor, but doesn’t have to be)

It’s also a great way to socialise to bring it back to my previous point. You can plan days out with flat mates or course mates into the main areas within your new city for lunch, a drink, to pick up stuff you might have forgotten.. all this with the aim of making the new city feel like home.

9. Unpack, decorate etc

Continuing this idea of home, your university room is great place to start.

For me and I assume a lot of you interested in design and interior spaces, my room was incredibly important. I started planning my room weeks in advance looking a images from the accomodation website, drawing our layouts (I actually asked for a sample floor plan) figuring out where I wanted the furniture, the colour scheme, everything. For some it might seem a bit extra and if I’m honest it probably was but I loved my bedroom in first year. It immediately felt like home because I already knew it so well.

No matter what your study style, where you prefer to work - library, study rooms, studio, as an Architecture student at some point you will have no choice but to work in your room. I for example preferred working the studio during the day and if I was working late I would go to the library. For model making late into the night however, I couldn’t work in the studio as it was closed and the library heavily frowned upon the associated mess that comes with models so I worked in my room.

10. Stay safe!

Last but definitely not least, stay safe! Over my years at university I’ve heard far too many horror stories about students getting hurt or worse because they haven’t been aware of their surroundings or in fact their limits.

It’s a new city, with new experiences, and new people and you’re potentially on your own for the first time. I’ve been there, I know how it feels - I went from being very much a homebody at home to going out and going to parties when I got to uni. Freshers week and university, especially first year when some grades don’t even count is the best year to get out of comfort zones but be sensible, you’re basically an adult now.

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