Welcome Week: the actual fresher survival handbook

Y​ou’ve ​made​ it!​ ​You’re officially a fresher at St Mary’s.​ ​You ​have​ your shiny new student ID, a new room, and approximately six million WhatsApp groups.​

​​And Welcome Week is here. ​

When I was a fresher, I thought would only be a chaotic blur of free pizza, awkward ice breakers, and trying to remember at least ten new people’s names in one day. ​And​ it was all of that…but it was also so much more. Looking back, there are a few things I wish I had known that would have left me more prepared to enjoy it all.

Now that I’ve ​survived​ my Welcome Week, here is what I wish I had known before, and what you should know before you dive in.

​​​You can’t clone yourself (and don’t even try)​​

The will ​try and​ make you believe you need to be at coffee mornings, sports tasters, karaoke nights, and mystery quiz socials… all in one day. ​You’re not a robot.​

Pick stuff that genuinely sounds like fun to YOU. Missing an event won’t ruin your life, but going too hard may see you waking up in the morning looking like you’ve done an exam on 3 hours sleep. If you need to rest, that’s ​ok​.

Everyone is just as anxious as you

That person who looks effortlessly cool and seems to know ​everything? They​ are probably trying to figure out if they’ve walked into the wrong building. The reality ​is you’re​ most likely both at the same “Hi, what’s your name again?” stage.

The moment you recognise this you’ll be able to relax and even be able to enjoy the awkwardness.

​​The best friendships are formed in weird places​

​​Yes, you'll meet people at official events, but you'll most likely have your best spontaneous moments in less glamourous places.​

I’m talking bonding over burnt toast in the shared kitchen, or even two international students meeting in the same corridor trying to understand why they can't find lecture theatre G7. ​Or​ maybe even, waiting in line to get your first meal from and suddenly someone tapping on your shoulder to ask “Wait, do you also need to find the lecture room? ​Can I join​ you?”

These friendships should never be ​underestimated.​

Ask questions, lots of them

I used to avoid asking questions: I didn’t want to look clueless. The truth is that asking questions is the quickest and best way to learn!

Whether that's to do with , the , or looking for the best cheap lunch spots, most people will be more than happy to help.

Don’t forget, questions are also the easiest way to start a conversation.

Keep the little moments

Take photos, screenshot that embarrassing group chat message. Welcome Week will fly by, and you're going to want to have proof that, yes, you did indeed win a free lollipop for guessing how many ​sweets​ were inside the jar.

Those moments will form the stories you're telling next year’s freshers!

​​​Final thought, the only rule that matters​​

​​​Forget being “cool”, that's boring.​​ ​Just show up to meet people, say yes to new things, and don't ever panic if you've not “found your group” yet.​ ​You have years!​

For now? Grab your free tote bag, attend the events you meant to go to, and enjoy being a fresher whilst it's happening.