Should I go to Freshers’ Week?

Freshers’ week can feel like a bit of a dilemma. You want to socialise and meet new people. But the thought of settling in quietly and starting courses without a week’s worth of hangovers sounds way more appealing. The beauty is you can do both. Uni is what you make it, so you can spend freshers’ week however you want. There’s no right or wrong answer.

If you’re still on the fence about whether to show up for freshers’ week, these pros and cons might help you make up your mind.

Reasons to go to Freshers’ Week

Here’s why freshers’ week lives up to the hype:

Meeting your housemates: You meet lots of people in freshers’ week – your housemates included. Taking part in group outings to freshers’ events can help you to break the ice and get to know each other before lecturers and seminars start.
Everyone’s in the same boat: Feeling anxious about uni? Almost every new student feels the same way. Attending freshers’ week allows you to connect with fellow students while you’re all still, well, fresh.
Activities and workshops: Freshers’ week is loads of fun, but it’s not just about clubs! Most freshers’ weeks will have sport events, film nights, food crawls, workshops, society socials and much more.
Enjoying the nightlife: Freshers’ week isn’t just about the nightlife, but it’s a huge part of it! Hitting the bars and clubs is a great way to celebrate the start of a new chapter in your life and make friends. Just remember to stay safe and stick with a group.
Freebies and discounts: Freshers’ week equals freebies! You’re guaranteed to leave pretty much every freshers’ event with free gifts like mugs, accessories, stationery and much more. You’ll also get discounts for things like takeaways, restaurants and shops to make the most of.

Why avoid Freshers’ Week

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to avoid freshers’ week:

You’re shy or introverted: We know some people just don’t like mingling in big groups, and freshers’ might sound like your idea of a nightmare. But before you skip it altogether, remember you can always choose to avoid the crowds and take it at your own pace.
You’re not into the drinking culture: Not everyone is a Hawaiian-shirt wearing party animal – and it’s totally fine to skip the boozy club nights if you don’t drink, or prefer a quieter evening in. Plus this way, you can feel fresh as a daisy to attend inductions and get to grips with your new campus.
You want to save money: Times are tough right now and even with freebies, drinks deals and restaurant discounts, freshers’ nights out can take their toll on your purse strings. If you’re concerned about money, skipping some of the social events can help you save.
You’re a mature student:For many people, freshers’ week is one of the first chances to have a night (or week) on the tiles without enduring your parents’ raised eyebrows the next day. But if you’re a mature student, freshers’ week is probably not your first rodeo. If you don’t fancy five nights out on the bounce, it’s fine to make some polite excuses.
You already had a freshers’ week: Lots of people switch unis or drop out of their first year. If this is you, freshers’ week is probably old news. And that’s totally fine.

What if I’m late for Freshers’ Week?

If you’re an international student who wants to attend freshers’ week but won’t arrive in time – don’t worry! There will always be plenty of activities to do once the term has begun. Even better, you’ll have a range of clubs and societies to choose from. And if you ever change your mind, you’re not obligated to stay in them.

Whether you’re an undergrad, postgrad, mature or international student, you can forge your own uni path. Everyone’s experience is different. One of the joys of being an adult? Nobody can force you to do anything you don’t want to.

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