What Not to do during Freshers Week
82 Months Ago
There’s just over a week until Freshers now and the excitement is really starting to build! We want you to have the best time during Freshers Week and beyond, but we can’t tell you exactly how you’ll achieve that. We can, however, tell you what not to do. (Some of these are from personal experience. Hindsight is a wonderful thing…)
1. Don’t get locked out.
A lot of the halls have doors that lock automatically behind you, which is great – until you realise your keys are still in there. Keep your key or keycard safe! If you do get locked out, you can contact the warden or security after 11pm using the red phones.
2. Don’t jump right into your overdraft.
If you’ve got a student current account and a loan, it can seem far too tempting seeing an extra grand or so just sitting there. Should you use it as an excuse to buy a tray of tequilas in the club and takeaways every night? No. Overdrafts are a good safety net but they shouldn’t be relied on – you do have to pay them back!
3. Don’t forget to ask for a student discount.
It’s available in more places than you might think – often 10% off and some will even give you free stuff (the free McDonalds cheeseburger, mayo chicken or McFlurry with your meal will make your day). Grab yourself an NUS Extra card as part of Freshers Pass Extra and you’ll get loads of special NUS student discounts.
4. Don’t forget to enrol.
It might seem a basic one but you do actually need to tell the university you’re here and ready to begin your course. If you don’t enrol you won’t be able to access Vision, use the computers, get any emails, sit any exams or be on the course. You won’t actually be a student. Find out when you need to enrol before you arrive and make sure you’re there.
5. Don’t forget to complete your inventory.
You’ll get a list of all the stuff in your room that you’ll need to check, sign and return to your Housekeeper in the first week. This is your opportunity to note down anything that’s marked or broken so you’re not charged for it at the end of your tenancy.
6. Don’t overpack.
Alright, this one is what not to do before Freshers, but it's still important. Do you really need to bring a popcorn maker with you? And unless you’re planning on hosting Come Dine with Me, you don’t need that ten piece dinner plate set. Minimalism is in.
7. Don’t get blackout drunk.
It’s not big, it’s not clever and it’s not funny. At the least, you’ll face a lot of embarrassment; at the worst, you could be hurt or get into trouble. You’ll place a lot of responsibility on your new friends if you’re out of it, and that’s not fair. Have fun, but don’t overdo it.
8. Don’t spend all of your time in your room.
Yes, it’s nice and cosy, but there’s a whole new world beyond your bedroom door. Get stuck in to your new campus life as soon as possible.
9. Don’t be afraid to say hi.
It might seem cheesy now to go up to people you don’t know with a big smile on your face, but this is the one week in your life where it will be the norm. The more you do it, the more relaxed the atmosphere becomes.
10. Don’t steal your flatmates’ food.
They probably won’t begrudge you a slice of bread when you’ve been living together for a few weeks and you've all bonded, but first impressions count and helping yourself is rude.
11. Don’t pull all-nighters.
Sleep is beautiful, but if you do it all day, you’ll miss out on all the fun.
12. Don’t forget to use a condom.
Sex is good. Safe sex is better. With everything that goes on during Freshers, you don’t need an STI or a pregnancy scare on your plate.
13. Don’t sleep through the fire alarm.
Despite them being very, very loud and very, very annoying, some people can actually sleep through the fire alarms! This could be from being deep sleepers, being out the night before or simply assuming it’s a drill. It’s a £50 fine if you’re found in halls during an alarm, so get out if you hear that siren.
14. Don’t forget your friends and family at home.
It’s great that you’re having such a good time. Let your parents know so they can stop worrying, and don’t forget to check in with your school friends either - they might be away having fun too, but you don’t want them to forget you.
15. Don’t chase the swans.
They don’t like it.
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