What to expect in your first week of uni
23 August 2019
Starting university can be both a daunting and exciting experience! You would have packed up all your things from home, said goodbye to your parents and greeted the new people you’ll be living with.
The first couple of days away from home and at university can feel strange and unnerving, but when you know what to expect, you’ll be far more at ease.
Prepare to Socialise
When you start at university, everyone will tell you you’re going to make friends for life, and it’s true.
There’s so many people to meet from your new housemates, to your lecturers, to your fellow course students, to the people on socials and athletic clubs, to young individuals who have lived in that area their whole life. There’s a whole bunch of diverse and exciting new people to meet – it’s just about finding the ones who you feel the most comfortable with.
You’ll Miss Home
You may feel home sick and you should know that it’s normal. It’s important to keep in touch with your friends and family back at home so you know that you’re not alone.
Your relatives and loved ones are only a phone or Skype call away, and you can always use the weekends to go home and see your beloved pet. The feeling of homesickness will fade away eventually, especially once you start to get into a routine, make friends and go out and enjoy yourself.
Remember University Work
You may be so busy from the partying that you may forget that the first week of university is important for your studies too. Remember to turn up to every seminar that’ll introduce you to the library, the area and your course as it may be very useful in the long run.
Make sure you have all the correct books and equipment needed for when you actually start your course and ensure you’ve read up and researched in case there’s any assignments for your first day. Locate the buildings you have to go to and allocate enough time for your walk there and an extra fifteen minutes in case of any delays.
Prepare for Freshers’ Week
At any university you are going to be subjected to a first week of heavy partying and going out. It’s important to take care of yourself as being away from home is a whole different experience in itself. Normally many students get ill in the first couple of weeks from the change, being around lots of new people and viruses or just not getting enough sleep.
There will be events going on all over the place, but don’t feel pressured to attend every one. Maybe start by going where your housemates are going and work out a plan from there.
Do not push yourself and do things you wouldn’t normally do, just because you’re at university. If staying in is more your thing, embrace it! There’ll be people that like doing the same thing as you, so don’t feel forced.
Societies
When you’ve made it through moving in and making friends, it’s time to join some societies and athletic clubs.
There’s something for everyone at university and whether you’re into playing board games, trampolining and gymnastics or creative writing, you won’t struggle to find someone with the same hobbies and interests as you.