Freshers’ five: experiences and advice from our facilitators

It’s the start of Freshers’ Week and what is inevitably going to be a very exciting time for all the new students this year! If you’re finding it nerve wracking or simply want to hear the experiences of students who’ve already gone through it, we’ve compiled the perspectives of our facilitators to help you feel more at ease about your first week at university.

Georgia, Team Leader:

“I would summarise my fresher’s week in 2 words: exciting and exhausting. I think there is a fine line between excitement and apprehension, and luckily enough for me the adrenaline of it all left me feeling more excited most of the time. I made the most of Fresher’s week by going to as many society activities and social events as possible so that I could get a feel for University and the other students. If I could go back and do it again, I would pay a lot more attention to taking care of myself and I would realise that the exhaustion I felt from meeting so many new people was completely normal and to be expected, and not some character flaw! Fresher’s week is truly an experience, but there have been many other university experiences which are as good and better. So, if you are not having a good time, remember that for many of us, the best is still to come!”

Emily, General Secretary:

“As much as I was excited to meet new people and start the next chapter of my life at Exeter, I couldn't help but feel a bit anxious about Freshers’ Week. Before coming to uni, I was never really one to go out clubbing or drinking and was worried that the whole week would revolve around this. I soon found, however, that there was so much more to Freshers week than drinking and going out. So many different activities were being run throughout the day and evenings, giving you the chance to meet like minded people and it was such a relief to find that there really was no pressure to go out if you didn't want to. Everyone seemed to be in the same boat, wanting to meet new friends and try new things. I definitely have fond memories of the week that I had worried about so much, before coming.”

Amy, Events Coordinator:

“Freshers week can mean many different things to different people. For some it is an opportunity to start anew, for others it is quite a scary process as you move away from home for the first time. It is so important to know that, whilst everyone may seem as if they are having the time of their lives during Freshers Week, having moments when you are feeling down, sad or lonely is completely normal.

"I would really encourage you to reach out to people you feel safe with or share how you are feeling with one of your new flatmates, I can guarantee that they will be feeling at least some of the same uncertainty that you are. Embracing the fun and slight craziness of Fresher’s Week is so worth it but also recognising the importance of slowing down and dedicating time for yourself at this time.”

Hope, Events Facilitator:

“Obviously this year as a fresher your experience is going to be very different to anything anyone has ever experienced before but the first thing to remember is that we are here to support you!! There will also be existing students that are nervous about the thought of starting a new term with everything going on. Please remember that everyone is in the same boat this year and if you’re feeling apprehensive you are not, by any means, alone. Therefore, my advice is simple- take care of yourself. Allow yourself one or two dedicated evenings to relax and make an effort to actively engage in your own positive wellbeing. This looks like different things for different people so please be mindful that not everyone is a social butterfly 24/7; some prefer to socialise with friends while others engage in fitness and some just want a quiet space to themselves. Be aware of other people’s own wellbeing needs and plan your freshers’ activities with your new flat accordingly. Personally, a positive wellbeing-mindful freshers’ week for me would look like a couple of nights of drinks and socialising with friends I haven’t seen in months, combined with a movie night in my house, yoga, a couple of early morning runs (if I’m brave) and maybe a brunch out with friends (another great idea is to engage in some of Exeters’ restaurants extending eat out to help out this September).”

Charlotte, Social Media Lead:

“My Freshers’ Week was quite nuts, which is my own fault. I made the decision going in to do as many things as I could and as a result my days were jam packed the whole time. In retrospect, I could have chilled out a lot more. Now that I’ve finished my first year I realise that Freshers’ Week isn’t the be all and end all of your university experience - it’s just a starting point. At the time I felt pressured to choose the right societies and people off that bat, but a lot of the most fulfilling friendship groups and activities I found came naturally, spread out over the course of the year. My advice is to not take it too seriously. If you stay open to meeting people and trying new things throughout your time at Exeter, you will naturally find where you fit in.”

Dimitri, Social Media Facilitator:

“You may have heard that Freshers’ Week is hectic from many people, though I think how busy your Fresher’s Week is depends entirely on what and how much you decide to get involved with. Definitely take as many opportunities that fit with your interests as they come (this is how you get to know people!), but regularly check in with yourself and your mental state each day to make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself. If you need a break - take it! The key to a great Fresher’s Week is having a good time whilst respecting your own boundaries. Meet some amazing new people, have fun, and remember to take care of yourself throughout the course of the week.”