Fresher's A - Z!!! (Freshers Week - Tips and Advice)

Member Name: hugnluvable

Product:	Freshers Week - Tips and Advice
Date:	20/09/01 (558 review reads)
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Advantages: Great! Social! Fun! Meet loads of great people!

Disadvantages: Nervewracking! Can induce hangovers!

Well hello there! About to start university? Scared? Nervous? Well don’t be – Fresher’s week is great – you’ll love it. And here I am – about to start my second year and I’m more scared than I was before being a fresher (the exams actually mean something this time!) I thought now would be a good time as any to plonk this op into dooyooland - being the week before we all go off to uni and all. So here is my A-Z guide of being a fresher – I hope it helps your nerves a little bit!

*** A is for Alcohol ***

Yep, believe me, there will be lots of it and you will get drunk! (Unless you don’t want to of course!) The student union (I shall explain later!) offer cheap prices in their bar and if you’re up north then everywhere is quite cheap compared to down south!

But be careful kids – Alcohol contain loads of calories and if you drink loads every night it is inevitable that you’ll put on weight – believe me, I did!

*** B is for Banks ***

What? You haven’t got a bank account yet? Why the hell not? Don’t worry there are loads of others in your position. Different banks have different offers so shop around. Some give away money, mobile phones or railcards- others give you special offers and most come with a nice interest free overdraft! But be careful y’all – don’t forget if you’re in debt it has to be paid off one day.

I use HSBC – those lovely people gave me a nice £50 to start with and a £750 interest free overdraft. I was a very happy bunny, and I still am but I have heard a couple of nasty stories about students who have dropped out of university and have had problems with them. Keep an eye on the pennies - I thought I’d never use my overdraft but you’d be surprised how much you actually spend

During Fresher’s week a lot of banks will be advertising themselves on campus R
11; most universities have a bank on site. But don’t make an on the spot decision if some lovely looking lady from Barclays approaches you, why do you think Barclays employ such a lovely looking laydee?

*** C is for Children ***

Well, being a student is there to be enjoyed right? It’s that middle bit in between being a kid and a responsible adult. So go on – act like kids, be loud, run around and scream – just respect everyone else around you k? And don’t hurt yourselves!

*** D is for Discounts ***

Take advantage of these shamelessly! There are so many opportunities for a bargain down the high street now. Just one flick of your student identification can give you 10% off things at shops like; Topshop/Miss Selfridge, Evans, HMV and Dorothy Perkins. Nice one!

*** E is for Enjoy yourself ***

This is probably one of the most important sections but the shortest…

…Fresher’s week is meant to be the best time of your university life (apart from graduating!) ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS!


*** F is for Free Stuff! ***

Oh – I wish I was a fresher again – you lucky LUCKY people! Most universities have an event called “Fresher’s Fayre” and this is when local companies come in and give you loads of free stuff! My advice is to GRAB AS MUCH AS YOU CAN – if you don’t want it you can always give it to someone else or throw it away (Well, its not a waste is it? It’s free!) From Alcohol to Pens – Fresher’s Fayre is the place to pick up loads of special discount coupons and posters and keyrings and food and calendars and and and…

*** G is for Guess ***

If you feel a bit uneasy asking someone’s name just guess what it is – they’ll soon correct you! When you are around new people its expected of you to forget names/places etc so you won’t look complet
ely thick if you don’t know. And if you guess right – ohhhhhh SMART-ASS!

*** H is for Halls and Houses ***

Well you need to live somewhere don’t you? Houses usually belong to 2nd years not Freshers but fret not if you are in one with noone you know. Your new housemates are all going through the same thing. And if they are really freaky you always have a lock on your door!

Halls are the greatest inventions known to 1st year students. These places thrive on social activities. Everywhere you go there’s always a friendly face to chat to. I recommend halls if you have the chance – it’s the best way to kick-start your uni life, making new friends as soon as you get there. The first girl I met when I reached my room is now still one of my fantastic mates (um, that’s you Nic!) – she even made my Dad a cup of tea bless her! (And she’d better make him one when we get to Hull again this time – else he’ll be soooooooo upset!)


*** I is for Illness ***

I’m not trying to scare you here but there is a predicted spell of Fresher’s Flu this year. I’m not some kinda psychic who can tell the future though – it happens every year! When everyone is in Halls, mingling with each other germs can spread and provide everyone with the chance to have the flu (or a cold!). I cant give any advice for this – just get your Mum and Dad to buy you some Lemsip with your first load of groceries – just so you can save yourself some money in case you get it!

There is also the dreaded “hangover”. Now, this isn’t an illness but it can make you feel ill! My advice? DON’T GET DRUNK! Well, actually do get drunk – cus you might not have as much fun but you’ll most probably be saying this when you have the hangover from hell and a 9 o’clock lecture!

*** J is for Just being you ***

Noone can do
this better than you! One lesson in life that people need to learn is that some people will like you – and some people won’t! Kinda hard not to take things personally and worry about that sorta thing though isn’t it? But don’t worry – if you are yourself people will take you for whoever you are. And don’t forget – everyone else is going through the same thing and you might not like him or her either! Usually there are a lot of barriers at first – people tend to be quieter than usual, nervous – but being genuine will stand out more and enthuse more people to do the same thing.

*** K is for kissing ***

Kissing, hmmm, well what can I say? During Fresher’s week there’s parties a’ plenty and loads of fit blokes and women just waiting to snog you silly there! These are usually one night thangs and you’ll never see the person again (thank goodness some of you might sigh with relief!) but I have known a couple of people who met for the first time at a Fresher’s do and they are still together now.

*** L is for Lectures ***

I’m sorry – I had to put this one in. Just be aware that although you are having the time of your life you are at university for a reason – to um… study! There are few lectures during the first week and they are important so shouldn’t be missed. These first lectures tell you everything about what you’ll be doing throughout the year.

*** M is for Mums and Dads ***

Smile at them, hug them, accept their money, say thank-you, kiss them goodbye and don’t forget to phone them. They do worry!

*** N is for Noise ***

Well, during Fresher’s week in halls people are getting to know each other, playing drinking games, showing off their brand new stereo system etc. So it is inevitable that there will be a lot of noise. Accept that fact – and if you cant beat them
well JOIN THEM!

*** O is for Orientation ***

Trying to find your way around your new university is like being a little 12 year old lost in your new secondary school again. But don’t worry – there aren’t any bullies to guide you in the wrong direction. Usually there are signs around the uni during this week so USE THEM! And if you are still honestly lost ASK SOMEONE – they’re bound to know! But don’t worry – you’ll find your way around soon!

***P is for Parties ***

Yep! PARTIES! Fresher’s week should be full of them. What better way to meet and socialise with new people? Go to them! Get drunk at them! Make yourself known at them!

*** Q is for Queues ***

ARGH! This is the unavoidable thing about Fresher’s week – all years have to put up with them! At our university you have to queue up for ages to get your student card and get registered – it seems like forever! My advice is to start talking and take an interest in the people next to you – you could make some great friends or you could never see them again ever. Either way its still something to do isn’t it!

*** R is for Roommate ***

Argh! Have you read your accommodation contract and found out that you’re sharing a room in halls? Well ok – I went through hell with my ex-roommate – I shan’t tell you now though – don’t want to scare you! (Nic’ll tell you anyway!) But usually in most cases you’ll love your roommate. The hall warden didn’t put you together if he/she thought you would be at each other’s necks! As I’ve said before – just be yourself!


*** S is for Socialising ***

Mingle! Mingle! Mingle! Fresher’s week is all about socialising and meeting new people. If you don’t socialise you’ll end up on your own in your room with no friends but the TV and
your talking dog slippers! I’m quite outgoing and day two of Fresher’s week I ended up walking into someone’s room, taking an interest in who they were etc and they’re now another one of my great mates from uni!

*** T is for Traffic Cones ***

Right, drunken students are stereotyped as nicking things like For Sale signs and Road signs and/or running off with a traffic cone on top of their head. This is a generalisation, but my friend has a back garden full of these novelties left by the old occupants. It aint funny and it aint clever and it is against the law – but if you’re drunk enough and you could get away with it well … (don’t blame me for encouraging you!)

*** U is for Union ***

Your student union should be the bestest place in the world! Most of the activities, do’s, parties and get togethers take place here. The main student bar is located here as well – offering you subsidised drinks and a lovely friendly atmosphere. You will be introduced to it during the week and told how it works, who runs it and how to get involved! GET INVOLVED! Pleeeeaaaaassssssse! You have so much fun doing it, meeting new people and organising different things, it’s just so rewarding!

*** V is for Veteran Freshers ***

Yep the veteran Freshers – those who have done it, the 2nd years, the older ones. But don’t you dare in any way look up to them! They can influence bad habits upon yourselves and warp your fragile little minds! They aren’t that bad – if you need help don’t hesitate to ask them – loads of them have volunteered to help during the week anyway – so they can’t be that scary can they?

*** W is for Wolf in Lamb’s Wool ***

GIRLS BE CAREFUL! Lurking around at every Fresher’s party/union night there are so many of these men! Usually 2nd/3rd years/finalists looking for an easy fresher t
o pull! They dress rather innocently, they are very polite, and they are very nice indeed until BANG! They end up trying it on with you and not being such a nice blokee after all. You have been warned!

X is for X amount of fun

Fresher’s week is what you make it. You can have little fun at all or BIG TIME FUN! It all depends on the amount of effort you put in.

*** Y is for Yearly ***

Fresher’s week is an annual thing. The volunteers who help show you to your room or around the university have all been in your position. And you could be one of those volunteers the next year if you wanted to. Fresher’s week is planned to the best of the organiser’s abilities – they want you to have the best time possible. Just remember that it is actually planned in advance so your first few days can go as smoothly as possible – and they will!

*** Z is for Zucchini ***

It’s a courgette – thought you might like to know that if you’re self catered and/or if you are ever asked what it is on “Who wants to be a millionaire” or something! Doh!

Anyway – I hope this has been of some use to you just about to start university. Good luck in your studies, enjoy yourselves and have loads of fun – just take care whilst doing it! Oh and if you’re going to St Andrews give a BIG HUG to Wills from me and ask how his Gran’s doing.

HuGz
xxx

PS: if you’ve experienced Fresher’s week ages ago I’d love to hear all your past memories – reminiscing is great isn’t it!

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