Making the most out of Freshers’ Week: a uni student’s top tips

• Author: Faye Holland, Business Management with Finance and Placement Year BSc, School of Business and Law

University Freshers’ Week is fun but you need to be prepared to make the most of all that is going on. Here are some tips:

Top tips for uni Freshers

1. Save up money
2. Get a wristband
3. Go to the Freshers’ Fair
4. Connect on social media
5. Explore Brighton
6. Get inducted
7. Explore accommodation 
8. Get a refresher!

Save up money

One tip of mine is to save up some cash beforehand you can make the most of Freshers without going into your weekly budget!

Get a wristband

I got my Freshtival wristband in advance but they are on sale right up til the last minute. Check out the Brighton Students’ Union website.

This gave me access to plenty of nightclubs and themes over the course of two weeks, and one night included Dappy performing at Pryzm. I didn’t want to pay individually per night, so this made it easier on the night out and I did not have to pay for entries into the nightclubs – so I saved some pennies!

The Freshers’ Fair and other events

One of my favourite events was the Freshers’ Fair. I went with my flatmates, and they were giving out lots of freebies – including pizza! There are also plenty of societies where you can sign up. I encourage you to go to as many taster sessions as possible – this way you can also meet new people, but also figure out which activities you would enjoy most!

You can also go to nights out (typically on Wednesdays) with societies when you start in Freshers. If you are not into drinking, there are other events too. The SU holds go-ahead activities which in the past have included: dogs on campus, visiting i360, eating out, crafts and a pub quiz.

Go to as many taster sessions as possible – this way you can meet people but also figure out which activities you would enjoy most!

Faye Holland

Connect on social media

Another tip I have is to join Facebook and other social media ahead of joining university. The university made a freshers group page. I was in a business page group chat for my course – this gave me a Facebook friend to talk to before I moved in, which made me feel at ease! I also joined a Facebook group chat for my halls of residence and met others in my halls of residence this way too.

Explore Brighton

You may also want to make the most of visiting Brighton itself. You can head down to the pier and make the most of the sun while you can as the year starts! You could also have a BBQ on the beach too.

Get inducted

You also have an induction week during your first week of studies, while your first set of introduction seminars and lectures take place in your second week.

During your induction week, you can meet others on your course and also get to know your campus before you start. You also do not want to miss out on any important information on your course! You also can meet your SSGT (Student Support and Guidance Tutor), which can be quite important, plus you can meet your personal tutor group, which could also be your seminar group for the year.

Explore Halls of residence

If you do move into halls, you may be invited to a welcome talk with Student Residential Advisors, who are friendly students to help you settle into your first year.

Get a refresher!

A good thing to note is that in the second term the Students’ Union (SU) runs a refreshers event so it is never too late to join a society. Every academic year there is a chance to go to Freshers events again too.