What is freshers’ week and Why is it important?

Congratulations on getting admitted to a university! Soon you will be headed to your campuses if the offline lectures resume, to start a completely new journey of your life. This is one of a lifetime experience in everyone’s life and the feelings are the same all over the world – excitement and apprehension.

Once you’re in a university, you will embark on a whole new journey as a person, student and an adult. So let’s start this exciting and memorable journey with a look at what “freshers’ week” is, and what the first few days at university will be like.

So what is freshers’ week? 

Hailed as “the best week of your life”, freshers’ week is your first step into university life. It is a great time, almost a week(sometimes longer) full of binge drinking, social events, and more. You will get to meet new people, have your questions answered and sort all the bits before you dive into the ocean of studies. 

That’s not all, there are many other events beside parties like various societies hosting welcome events, so it’s a good opportunity to see if there are any you would like to join. Also, there will be some free events hosted by the local cities, offering an excellent chance to explore your new surroundings.

But this time the freshers’ week will be quite different due to coronavirus pandemic. Although some pubs and bars are reopening with precautions in place, some universities are also optimistic about in-person bonding like the earlier times, provided students follow social distancing and other precautionary measures.

The universities are thinking of taking a “blended approach” towards welcome events as well, meaning they would be happening both online and in-person, with restrictions on numbers of students attending in-person events.

Why freshers’ week is so important?

The first week at university is an amazing opportunity to meet new people, help your confidence grow, and find out what the university has to offer. Take this week to settle down comfortably in your student accommodations and get to know your surroundings. There will be some staff members on-site who will show you around and give a quick tour of facilities in your new home away from home. 

Once you’re settled try to bond with other residents and make new friends. These people you meet at the university or accommodation might become your best friends for the rest of your life. It is OK to feel a bit shy and even uncomfortable in the beginning as everyone is trying to fit in just like you are, so don’t worry – whatever your interests, you will find a group of people just like you.

There are some ice breaker activities conducted by some lecturers and course leaders during the first week. Some senior students might say going to the lectures during the first week is not worth it but many students find them quite useful for the main reason that it’s an easy way to start figuring out who you would get along with the most during group semester projects.

We all know it is going to be different this time, but that doesn’t mean that it will be bad or boring. It will take time to adjust to the ‘new normal’ and at times it might feel odd and unusual. But that difference can be embraced and celebrated together as a community and University Living is always there to support you and ensure you have the best possible time at University.