FIRST THINGS FIRST: A FRESHERS WEEK SURVIVAL GUIDE

by Chioma Muoneke 1 year ago

by Chioma Muoneke 1 year ago 7 min

A-Levels results and offers are officially in, so get in losers we’re going to uni! Disclaimer: There’s obviously more to life than uni and if you didn’t get into your dream school, there’s plenty of options for you, trust us. Regardless, all of you hopeful first timers are still bright eyed and bushy tailed, unaware of the copious amounts of energy drinks and takeaway that you’ll be ingesting. Freshers or Orientation Week, is known for being a pandemonium filled with endless society sign-ups, semi-messy prinks at random flats, know-it-alls in lectures that somehow read the course outline before there even was a course outline and awkward hook-ups. Freshers week can be daunting and that’s why we’ve come in to save your week. Here is Culted’s guide to surviving Freshers week.

FRESHERS FITS
For the sake of not succumbing to the broke college student trope don’t spend your entire student finance balance on a new wardrobe, especially if you’re planning on filling it with fast fashion. We’re begging you. We’ve curated way too many ‘Shopping Guides’ for that to be the case, check out one of our favourites “A Guide To A More Sustainable Wardrobe” or just shop less. Re-wearing shame is out and styling long-lasting pieces is in. There’s no need for a new fit every second night out or themed night. Come the end of term, the only thing you’ll be left with, is a wardrobe teeming with micro-trendy clothes and a negative balance in your bank account. Do yourself and the planet a favour.

“WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY”
People underestimate how easy it is to bankrupt one’s self during Freshers. Fits, food and the worst culprit, societies. The prospects of potentially learning a new life skill with the juggling society isn’t worth it. For some, society life is an integral part of their entire college experience(and CV, a way of life even, but for others it’s just another hobby. Join as many societies as you can but at the same time be smart. Bonus, saying no to the somewhat aggressive society members accosting you and forcing your signature, is great practice for avoiding peer pressure. Top tip: join three societies – one to keep you active, one that fits a hobby and a random one (yes of course we mean the juggling soc).

FOMO IS REAL!!!
So you actually live really close to your uni which means no accomodation for you.If you’re not staying in Halls then I feel your pain on a very personal level. The fomo is real however – but, your entire Fresher’s experience isn’t contingent on staying up late with your flatmates drinking and debriefing. Let’s face it, sure you miss some of the goss and post night out mess and giggles, but wouldn’t you rather eat well and have your laundry done for you for at least another few years?Here’s som help for those of you who don’t a laundry basket and kitchen utensils go a long way. Plus you don’t run the risk of disease infested kitchens and being woken up by suspiciously rhythmic banging against your wall. Head over to prinks whenever you can and don’t worry about the rest. You’ll find your night-out groove in no time.

DON’T DO UNKNOWN SUBSTANCES (UNLESS?)
We’d be naive to suggest you don’t do any illicit substances during Freshers Week, but please beware. With inflation your fortnightly drink of choice might cost that little bit extra, but if it’s your first time doing anything new then absolutely under no circumstances should you give into peer pressure. Be safe and make sure you have at least one sober-ish friend (not a random person you briefly met at a stall), to watch out for you and drink water! Start off with something easy (perhaps some p*ppers?) and take your time. You have the rest of your life to try whatever your heart desires . Just make sure your post sesh self-care routine is lined up for you the next morning.

O – WEEK (PUN INTENDED!!!)
Freshers week or as we like to call it ‘O – Week’ is of course a cesspool of raging hormones and too much freedom. Orientation Week and the subsequent years re the perfect time for sexual exploration. But with newfound sexual liberation comes quite a lot of responsibility. Every time you’re planning a sneaky (not) hook-up, think (CULTED) Consent and contraception, UTI’s, Lube, Toppers (for your mattresses), Extra duvet covers and bedsheets, and finally, Dorm room etiquette. Also build a system, morse code or whatever you need to ensure that boundaries are left uncrossed and everyone gets their not-so alone time. Finally, GET TESTED! Thank you. P.S. it’s more than ok and very normal to not be having sex during Freshers, don’t give in to peer pressre, there’s So. Much. Time.

SAY YES PLEASE!
It’s not the end of the world if you miss a class or two. Let us not forget that the end goal of uni is of course to graduate with a degree (whether relevant to your chosen career field or not), but that doesn’t mean that you need to be in the library your first day of classes. Make notes during lectures and don’t come home from a night out at 6:30am, just in time for your 9am tutorial, and if you are make sure to stay caffeinated. Be smart but also be spontaneous! You have three to four more years to work on your average. You haven’t failed the semester just because you’ve gotten a 2:2 on your very first essay. Go out for drinks after classes, go to that flat party alone. We cannot stress this enough…everyone is nervous and alone so rocking up to that prinks where you barely know one of the lads is perfectly alright.