10 Things to do in your first week of Uni
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Before long it’ll be time to get the car packed and run away from your parents loving, but slightly over protecting, embrace and into the big wide world of University. Once you’ve unpacked and observed your parent’s disappointment at your new accommodation (what were they expecting, a spa?) you’ll be ready to throw yourself into the mania that is Freshers’.
Freshers’ is mostly about getting to know the people you’ll be spending the next 3 years with and getting to grips with living on your own for the first time. For most, Freshers’ will be a complete breeze that will inform the rest of their University career. Here are our top 10 things to do in the first week of uni to really maximise that Freshers’ potential.
Get out of Bed
Don’t squander your first couple of days by lying around in bed catching up on sleep – get yourself into the communal areas, socialise and be spontaneous when the chance arises. It’s hard to get used to not having a parent shaped alarm clock but it’s important to establish a regular sleeping pattern so that you have more energy to throw into the rest of the term.
Stay Healthy
Make sure you look after yourself by keeping to a balanced diet and exercising – not just plying yourself with alcohol and pro plus tablets. It’s really worth registering with the University doctors just in case you do need to pop in, and it’s worth being aware of the Freshers’ Flu.
Visit Freshers’ Fairs
There will more than likely be something going on almost every day throughout the Freshers’ period, and it’s worth spending at least half an hour wondering around them just for all the free stuff and offers alone. Take your housemates along and you might be persuaded to try something new with them that you’ll really come to enjoy, and if not at least you’ll have plenty of free stuff!
Use a doorstop
So that people can see you’re in your room – people will be much more likely to invite you out or come and chat if your door is open rather than shut. Even better, invest in a couple of box sets of Flight of the Conchords or The Inbetweeners and your open door and fun atmosphere will lure other students in.
Don’t put pressure on finding a Soul mate
It’s really easy to make friends in the first week, but don’t stress too much about finding lifelong friends. Just try to enjoy the company of your peers and worry about the long term friendships later – it’ll all come naturally and stressing about making friends can only lead to disappointment.
Phone your parents
Your parents will want to know that you’ve made friends and are getting on well, so make sure to reassure them before they worry themselves bald and grey. It’s hard to remember as things do get a little hectic, so perhaps make phoning your parents part of a Sunday downtime routine.
Go all out on the Fancy Dress
It’ll be a whole year before you have this opportunity to wear as much stupid clothing and get away with it, and it’ll never be as manic or funny as during Freshers. Fancy Dress removes barriers between people, as you’re united by a common theme and dress code, and this can be great for getting people out of their shells and making friends.
Throw yourself into new experiences
Even if you don’t like the sound of what your housemates want to do this evening, give them the benefit of the doubt and tag along and the chances are that you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Making an effort is key to Freshers’ Week and if you can be a dependable member of any social gathering your new peers will think positively of you.
Join Societies and actually go
Most students join 3 or 4 societies, go for about 3 weeks and then decide their time would be better spent sleeping. This is a shame as societies are a great way to meet people with the same interests. The opportunities provided by societies are hard to come by post-university, so just think through what societies you sign up for and whether or not you’ll meet like minded people there.
Budget
Try to work out how to budget correctly in the first week and you’ll be set for the year. Experiment with spending and see just how little you can live on and you’ll reap the rewards later on or on a Saturday night. Use brilliant resources like Student Calculators or even NASMA’s (The National Association of Student Money Advisors) recent App.
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