10 things every fresher should know

So you’re off to university.

You’re leaving home for the first time, fending for yourself and embarking on your next major life stage.

And as exciting as this whole prospect is, it’s a little daunting too. From meeting new people to a new way of studying and being potentially miles away from home to managing your own money, there’s a lot to get your head around. 

The first term is when it all kicks off but don’t be worried if you feel like you’re still finding your feet at Christmas. The uni experience isn’t the same for everyone, but being a ‘fresher’ is something you will all be able to bond over.

Here are 11 things every fresher needs to know…

1. You might be homesick (and that’s okay) 

You may feel full of bravado and raring to start your first year at university, but don’t be surprised if you do feel a bit homesick in the first few weeks. You may even miss your parents (we know, shocking). It’s totally normal so don’t be embarrassed.

After all, you’ve lived with your family for 18 years and you’re away from all the friends and local places you grew up with. If you start to miss home then grab one of your new found flatmates and go for a coffee, drink at the student union or just watch some TV together.

You could also give your parents a call to say hi…

2. There are all sorts of ways to save money

Students don’t have a lot of spare cash so you should be on the look out for bargains and ways to save.

Take advantage of all the student discounts available. From travel fares to your favourite high street retailers and household bills to bank accounts, be sure to find where the best student deals are and then bag them. 

3. You do actually need to enroll

Don’t forget to enroll in amongst all the frivolity

Freshers Week is a non-stop train of fun and activities but in all the excitement, don’t forget to actually go and enroll. You’ll need various documentation and ID so make sure you pack them alongside your favourite posters and clothes…  

4. You’ll probably go over budget – but learn from it 

Managing money and learning to budget is one of the most important life lessons you get at university. 

From bills to socialising to the library fines you’re sure to rack up, it’s more than likely you’ll blow through your money pretty fast in the first month or two. You’ll feel flush straight after it drops into your account but you’ll soon see that it doesn’t last for long.

You'll no doubt go over budget but try to learn from the experience...

You’ll no doubt go over budget but try to learn from the experience…

Use this as an opportunity to get to grips with how much things actually cost and set yourself a budget per day, week or month and start monitoring exactly how much you spend so you don’t get into debt. Or have to call the bank of mum and dad too often.

5. Getting out is good

University offers a huge number of opportunities to go out and socialise and freshers week sees it ramp up to multiple events every day.  

There are sports teams, cultural groups and club nights and it’s worth getting out there and trying a few. You’ll meet more people, create amazing memories and find your tribe.  

6. But staying in is okay too

Staying in is the new going out

Staying in is the new going out

So while it’s good to become a bit of a social butterfly, it’s also totally fine to take a break from the hedonism and have a night off. 

Don’t feel pressured to go out and ‘have a good time’ as let’s face it, forced fun just isn’t fun at all.

And there’s nothing wrong with you if you prefer a cosy night in over a wild night out. Why not invite a few of your new friends over to join you? Everyone likes a pizza night in front of a movie after all. 

7. Freedom isn’t all it’s cracked up to be 

No doubt you’ve been longing to get out on your own so you can ditch the curfews and do whatever you like, whenever you like, without answering to your parents or anyone else. 

Where are those pesky parents when you need them?

Where are those pesky parents when you need them?

Freedom is great. Freedom makes you feel like a real grown up. But freedom also comes with all the boring bits of adult life like doing your own washing, ironing, tidying up, shopping for loo roll, cooking and budgeting. All the time.

You may just start wishing those annoying parents were on hand to take care of you once more.    

8. You don’t need to hang out with the first person you meet, forever 

One of the main worries about starting at college is that you won’t make new friends. 

So when someone is friendly and you hang out a couple of times it can be tempting to cling on for dear life. Or, to feel obliged to be friends with them for the rest of the year (and your life).

Instead try to have a more casual approach to your friendships in the initial weeks. You’re going to meet a lot of people and it’s inevitable that you might not remain close with the first person you lay eyes on as you unload your car.

9. You do actually need to attend lectures 

Yes, you do actually need to go to your lectures...

Yes, you do actually need to go to your lectures…

What? Uni isn’t just about £1 a pint nights?

No sadly not. The social side of life on campus is huge (and important) but there are lectures to go and work to do.

The schedule of seminars is very different to life with a school timetable so it’ll take some getting used to. You’re expected to do a lot of the research and learning yourself so as tempting as it is to leave things to the last minute, it’s better to get to grips with this new way of working sooner rather than later.

Add a few greens to your university diet of beer and pizza

Add a few greens to your university diet of beer and pizza

10. Fresher’s flu is a thing 

Whether it’s actually a cold, a poor immune system due to burning the candle at both ends, a lack of vitamins thanks to a less than ideal diet or just a long running hangover from a little too much partying, lots of freshers become ill in the first semester. 

So register with a doctor and try to remember to eat a few greens every once in a while.