Freshers’ Week: 5 ways students can get through a stress-free first term at university

Believe it or not, Freshers’ Week isn’t just a reason to party for seven days straight

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So you’ve done it. You’ve finished your exams, are feeling confident about your results, and looking forward to those first days of freedom at your new university. While it’s true the hard work is behind you for now, there’s still a lot to consider during Fresher’s Week.

For the majority of students, going to university is the first time you will live away from your parents and home town, which can take a bit of getting used to. If you’re an international student, it’s an even bigger change and you’ll want to find somewhere that feels welcoming and friendly.

To help with this period, here are the five top ways to help make this move as stress-free as possible. Who better to help you through these daunting but exciting times?

1. Choose your accommodation wisely

You’ve seen the brochures but have you checked that your accommodation is in the perfect location right by campus and all the best student hangouts? Nobody wants an eight-mile walk to their 9am Monday lecture.

An additional tip; make sure you’ve read what the people who’ve lived there beforehand have to say about it. You’ll be certain to find an online student message board, or even a student community app, where you can communicate and meet up with your neighbours that may have been there a while. They’ll let you know the essentials such as where the nearest corner shop is and the least busy time to go do your laundry. Believe it or not, but the latter will become important to you.

2. Take time to tour the city

Usually universities will have a grace period between moving in days and the introductory lectures of the year. It’s always a good idea to take some of this time to figure out a game plan. Where are all the buildings you need to go? Is it quicker for you to get the bus or walk? Save yourself the panic of getting lost on your first day and do a practice run in the days before.

3. Join groups

Believe it or not, Freshers’ Week isn’t just a reason to party for seven days straight. Your university will also have a Fresher’s Fair on campus where you can learn about the wide variety of groups and activities on offer to you. These are a great way of finding people who share the same interests as you, as well as your opportunity to have a go at trying something you’ve never done before. Competitive trampolining, anyone?

Similarly, go to events and socials at your student accommodation. Some student-oriented companies will organise great events on your doorstep where you can enjoy a group movie night or celebrate national and international holidays with your friends and neighbours.

4. Embrace your independence

This is your chance to show your family you really can do it alone. Budgeting may sound boring, but it’s a necessarily evil. No one wants to be that person who’s spent their entire loan by their third week, so find out exactly how much money you’ll have, make a list of outgoing costs, and work out how much you can spend each week.

This may sound boring, but think of it all as a trial shift for adult life; it will save you loads of stress come term time.

5. Have fun!

If you follow these simple tips, you’ll be free to concentrate on what’s really important - having fun. You get to live your life how you want it now, make new friends, and learn things you couldn’t while living at home. It’s your time to be independent, now take advantage of it.

Lee McLean is managing director at Vita Student