Freshers’ week
The first week of university is called Freshers’ week and the main aim is for new students to settle into their new surroundings and meet as many people as possible. Although most of the week is aimed at having fun, there are some forms to fill in. Paperwork might seem dull, but don’t miss this bit out or you may find yourself not listed on course timetables, without a union card and possibly without your student loan! But we’ll get to that later.
Most importantly, and let’s face it, it’s what Freshers’ week is all about, the fun stuff! …This could possibly be the most fun you’ll have in one week. Your students’ union will organise a whole load of activities and events that go on all day and through the night. Just go with the flow and try as much as possible. Lose your inhibitions – these will be some of the best times of your life!
A lot of freshers’ week is about drinking, but if you’re not a big drinker, don’t let this stop you from taking part. It’s more about meeting people – you don’t have to down 10 pints! Talk to people. Try and find people who are living in the same halls as you or people who are taking the same course. You’ll meet lots of people over this week, many of which you’ll never see again, but some who just may turn out to be your best friends!
Most Freshers’ weeks have a Freshers’ Fair. This is a really good place to find out about the societies on offer to you. If you’re interested in an activity, joining up can be a really good way to meet people with similar interests. You’ll be surprised at some of the weird and wacky societies that there are – it’s nothing like school! The best bit about the Freshers’ Fair is the freebies. Yep, that’s right, there’s loads of free stuff – pens, keyrings, food, drinks, product samples and the list goes on…
The main rule for Freshers’ week is - enjoy yourself. Don't go to the book shop and buy all the books on the reading list with the intention of finishing them before lectures start. True, you will have to get down to work once lectures start, but not during fresher’s week.
Registration
For registration, you need to find out where and when you need to register. This will probably be included in your induction pack sent to you before you started uni. It normally depends which faculty you’re in and the initial letter of your surname. So, those of you who have a surname beginning A to H are usually the unlucky ones who end up with the early morning registrations! It’s not too bad though, there’s a lot of queuing and waiting around, but it’s mainly signing forms – nothing too demanding! More and more universities are now doing online registration which means no hanging around and no early start.
Health
If you’re living away from home, you’ll need to register with a local doctor. It’s a good idea to do this before you actually need them! Most universities run their own medical centre or work with a local health centre, so look at your induction pack or check the university website.
You should also register with a local dentist. Universities also often have an existing relationship with a dentist.
If your university does not have a recommended doctor or dentist find your nearest surgery on the NHS Direct website.
Remember, students are eligible for help with the costs of both prescriptions and dental fees. Find out more about this from the Department of Health’s guide to healthcare cost entitlement.
Timetables
In your first week at uni you’ll need to get your timetable ready for when your lectures start the following week. This can sometimes seem a bit tricky, so take your time and make sure you get it right – the first few lectures can be really important. If you’re not sure, check.