No Regrets: The Ultimate Guide to Freshers Week
You have heard the common reaction to Freshers Week. It would overwhelm you. It would leave you with lots of junk. It would force you to miss the deadlines to your assignments. In other words, attending this annual happening is a waste of time. You may have a general idea of the whole thing, so let's talk about it.
Freshers Week refers to your first two weeks in the university. Some students would point out that it's the first month of the term, which you must take with a grain of salt. (They might have exceeded their limit of alcohol.) It's your first time to be away from home, which could cause anxiety. After all, your mother won't prepare your food. You can't run to your father if you're about to run out of cash. And you wonder if you can get along with other students. It's part of the journey, so you'll be fine.
You'll receive an email from your department after you have accepted the unconditional offer (from the admissions tutor). Aside from the warm welcome, you'll also find sites related to Freshers Week. It will be foolish to ignore those, as these links contain helpful tips on how to make a smooth transition from your home to the university in the shortest time. It won't include other matters, which you can only find out during your first day in college. (Some might have done their homework ahead of you, but it should be a level field for everyone.) Let's check it out.
How to avoid the Freshers Week regrets
Know how to discern the noise (or silence). If you're coming from a remote town, then this should be challenging to you. Not all noise will be a nuisance, as there are moments when you need to hear a sound to keep you from getting depressed. Studying is your foremost task, where you must isolate yourself from the rest of the pack (to do all the tasks ahead). It's not hard to figure out the rest of the sequence, so don't get upset after hearing a tune from another room. (You have to submit your essay in a short time, so keep your cool.) On the other hand, noise could distract you from making decisions regarding your coursework. You know what to do next.
Don't throw those fliers away. Prepare yourself for these fliers, which will come from all directions. They offer discounts, so it will be silly to throw them (into the bin). It won't take long before you learn that this is one of the privileges of being a college student. No need to show your annoyance right away.
Familiarize with the surroundings. You won't be swamped with lots of assignments and examinations during the early stage of the term, so you still have the luxury of the time. Walk around the campus, if not know all the features of your department. Familiarity will help you navigate through the place in the fastest time, which will come handy during those demanding moments of the term. You'll be sorry later (if you don't).
Eat before you drink. It should be hard to turn down a can of beer. It's a rite of passage, also the easiest way to make new friends. (And this is the reason that you come to college.) It will be better if you munch on chips, if not consume a slice of pizza. You won't feel the effects of alcohol consumption early on, which could be a lifesaver. No one might help you to your room if you have too much of it. You could miss the lecture next morning.
Learn to live within your means. You'll think twice about spending on something, as you want to save it for your night out with your new buddies. (It will be embarrassing to ask them for money, if not cover the tabs for you. But you'll return the favor.) The coursework will require you to purchase some books, which may be unavailable in the library. You won't have time to look around, and you don't want to put yourself in an inconvenient position. You'll learn about budgeting at this early stage while you resort to a mobile app that help you keep track of your spending habits. It will prepare you for the real world.
How to pace yourself
It will be sensible not to attend every event, even sleep early (instead of partying every night). You could miss a lot if you skip those morning lectures. If you worry about not meeting more students, then remind yourself that you'll have many chances. Keep on smiling at student hall. Get to know the fellas after the lecture. Organize a study group. Some students might be weirder than you think, which may cause you to panic out. Give them a chance, as they bring a new energy that you will need right away.
There's a likelihood that you'll call your parents on your second (or third) night in the university. You're about to give up on Freshers Week, yearning to go home during the weekend. Give it a chance while you don't pressure yourself to adjust to the new surroundings immediately. It's part of the journey, which will make you better sooner or later.
Your assignments need lots of time, so do them right away.
