All thing's University: What to expect at Freshers Week

Freshers week has to be one of the most hyped-up university events, a week of pretty much just going out every night (every parent's worst nightmare)! But is it worth the hype? 

I attended Royal Holloway Freshers Week in 2019, as a first-year student. For Freshers, at Royal Holloway, the Student Union usually operate a wristband scheme. These wristbands go on sale on results day and allow you entrance into all SU based freshers events so if you're planning on going to everything then I'd recommend getting one of those, you end up saving some money!

There were different types of wristband available last year... 

Bronze - Entrance into all SU based events during Freshers Week 

Silver - Entrance into all SU based events during Freshers Week and a ticket to Freshers Ball

Gold - Entrance into all SU based events during Freshers Week, a ticket to Freshers Ball and a TOTUM Student Discount Card 

Prices ranged from £40 - £60 for the wristbands and all of them included SU shop discounts, local takeaway discounts and free gym classes during freshers week. 

Some common misconceptions are that freshers week is just about partying, but there's actually so much more that goes on. Obviously, the nightlife is a huge factor but there are also daytime events like the annual fresher's fair and petting farm just two of the examples of alternative activities. I want to take this opportunity to answer some questions about freshers week... 

What happens at freshers fair? 

Freshers fair is a great opportunity to meet with any of the social groups that you may be interested in joining, these range from anything to do with sports, music, politics and general hobbies. Even if you're not that interested in joining a society these types of events can be a great opportunity to meet new people or even bond with your flatmates if you all go together. Plus you usually leave with a load of freebies, last year Domino's were giving away free pizza so if that isn't a reason to go then I don't know what is!

Do you have to go out every night?
NO - it is completely up to you when you want to go out! I bought a wristband so I felt obliged to go out every night to get my money's worth. But, there are so many activities going on that don't involve going to the Student Union or Medicine (the two bar/club areas at Royal Holloway) for example, as mentioned in my previous post about Halls many universities have a hall life team. For those that don't enjoy being in a club atmosphere, Hall Life usually organises their own events, I know at Royal Holloway they ran movie nights, games evenings and pizza nights. So there really is something for everyone.

Do you have any classes during Freshers Week?
Most universities host their induction sessions during freshers week, so this gives you a chance to meet the people on your course in a more relaxed setting. For my course, we had a session for each module we were taking that term and at the end of the week had a drinks reception and buffet to socialise with the students and staff in our department. These sessions are usually compulsory attendance so make sure you're prepared, I took my laptop, my planner, some paper and pens with me because I wasn't sure what I needed.

It's also important to keep in mind that in the months running up to freshers week, you'll build up so many ideas of what you think it's going to be like and in most cases, it'll never be what you think. Students all across the country have very different experiences depending on whether they're a campus-based university or not. My one piece of advice would be to take every opportunity to meet new people and enjoy yourself, you're only at university once so make the most of it!

My Fresher's Ball Experience: 

As the dressiest event of the week, I wanted to wear this beautiful white lace dress with nude heels... it had rained consistently for the last two days. For anyone that has visited Royal Holloway, Fresher's Ball is held in the quads of Founders Building so as you can imagine the grass was drenched, everyone's heels were sinking. I must've been ankle-deep in mud for the majority of the evening. Girls that had gone to all the effort of doing stunning hair and makeup were wearing those plastic poncho's that you get at theme parks!

However... we still had the best time! Chase & Status were performing so as you can imagine the stage area was packed full of people, there was the best atmosphere, despite all the bad weather! This was the opportunity to really have a great night with all the people you'd just met and perhaps meet more people!

If you have any questions about student life at Royal Holloway or university, in general, please leave a comment down below xx