Freshers' Week… What Not To Do!

Freshers’ Week is finally here! A week where all your social boundaries are pushed out of the window, and the word ‘awkward’ is stretched to its limits. But, do not fear, Sophie Lloyd has created her list of ‘WHAT NOT TO DO’S’, a sure-fire way to avoid the inevitable moments of embarrassment, and embrace the many hilarious memories that are yet to come!

Image Credit – The Telegraph

1) Do  NOT be a hermit

This one is right at the top of the list! Under no circumstances should you not socialise with the rest of the students of Exeter. Yes, freshers’ week is arguably packed full of social discomfort, but honestly the only way to overcome these nerves is by going out there and saying hello. Everyone is in exactly the same boat; offering to make your new housemate a cup of tea or getting ready together before a night out really can start a fantastic friendship! At the end of the day, this is one of the most important reasons for coming to university – to make unforgettable friends!

 

2) Do not ONLY achieve a degree

Show the world what you are passionate about! Exeter has a society for absolutely every interest, and if you somehow can’t quite find what you’re looking for – make it yourself! One fabulous way to make close friends is by attending every messy Timepiece Wednesday social possible, or even bizarrely sharing a drink from a shoe. Not only are societies great for the social life, they are extremely helpful additions to enhance your CV. Being an Editor of a campus magazine, or Captain of the Tennis Club not only demonstrates your abilities, it shows that you have dreams and ambition outside of your studies!

 

3) Do not judge

Yes, we’ve all heard the term ‘Exeterah’ but please do not take this to heart. Exeter University still definitely has a diverse range of students from all different backgrounds, and it would be absurd to categorize it! We all worry about first impressions, but judgements can sometimes get a bit clouded by a little competitive spirit. Exeter’s ‘battle of the halls’ is just a bit of fun rivalry! Whether you’re catered or self catered, humanities or science, not one is better than the other, and we’re all here to have a good time. There are some who may get a little carried away but freshers’ week isn’t about encouraging a social divide, its an exciting opportunity to meet completely new people.

 

4) Don’t forget why you’re here

What can I say? We are at university to achieve some sort of degree. Sure, have a week of madness but do not forget the real reason we are actually here! There is nothing worse than strolling into a seminar in your most fashionable items, and then not knowing what on earth is coming out of your lecturer’s mouth… During your recovery days in bed, instead of watching a whole season of Gossip Girl, use an hour or so to instead do some reading – that way you’ll be looking great and sounding super intelligent. Trust me – there is nothing sexier than that!

 

5) Do not get to clubs late

Okay, so enough of that. Lets get down to business. Fresher’s week is when every club in Exeter reaches its full capacity by about 11:30. Buying tickets guarantees you entry usually before 11 but unfortunately you can still expect those dreaded queues. Every single night will be packed so the best way to survive this is by getting stamped early. (This is especially true for the Lemmy!) If you’re in halls, use your ‘on-campus’ location to its full potential; walk down early to get a stamp so the rest of the night is yours!

 

6) Don’t worry!

But. Most important of all- do not worry! You have dreamt about this week for so long now, and the best advice that I can give you, is expect the unexpected. My own freshers’ week was a complete roller-coaster of emotions, teamed with blurred memories of messy nights. I may now regret a few fashion faux pas, and a few other choices to say the least, but in the end, as I uncomfortably rush through my humiliating tagged photos from two years ago, I find an overwhelming comfort in the fact that I made the best decision of my life by coming to university. Freshers’ Week was only a small part of it.

 

Sophie Lloyd

Whatever form it takes, get involved!

President of the Classics Society Ronnie Henderson explains just how important it is to get involved in any and all aspects of the university experience at Exeter, starting with the vast range of introductory activities happening this week.

Freshers’ week 2013. For those arriving in Exeter for the first time, it’s a week of new places, new parties, new people. For those returning, it’s a week of freedom before a term of panic, procrastination and, of course, a little partying. But what is obvious to the fresher and the finalist alike is the sheer volume of things going on. Societies that you didn’t even realise existed are hosting a full week of activities. From Clay shooting taster sessions to Community Action’s bouncy castle on campus, there is an incredible number and range of events available. All this can seem very daunting, especially when you are getting to know your new flatmates, recover from the night before and grapple with the Da Vinci code that is an Exeter University timetable. And so it is perhaps easy to forgo trying out a new society amidst everything else that is going on in this busy week. Yet dragging yourself out of your halls to attend that taster session in Freshers’ week could be the start of a new activity that really defines your time here. Exeter is not just an excellent academic institution; it’s a sports club, it’s a theatre group, it’s an orchestra – it’s a chance to discover what you love.

“Exeter is not just an excellent academic institution; it’s a sports club, it’s a theatre group, it’s an orchestra – it’s a chance to discover what you love.”
Photo Credit: Lori Greig via Compfight cc

In Freshers’ week of September 2011, feeling suitably overwhelmed by all that Exeter had to offer, I rocked up to the Classics Society’s pub quiz, not really knowing what to expect, apart from an opportunity to show off my wealth of useless facts (which are still vast and entirely useless). Two years on and I am lucky enough to be the President of Classics for 2013/14, having been on a number of brilliant socials, acted in plays, played terribly in numerous games of netball, whilst meeting some of my best friends in the process. A social in freshers’ week is the ideal opportunity to meet people with similar interests to you in a very informal and fun way. For example, one of the highlights in Classics’ calendar is the Toga social – the perfect chance to get to know your coursemates whilst dancing in Arena dressed in your perfectly folded classical garb. It’s also the ideal to meet friendly committee members and see what the society has to offer.

So, am I telling you to join Classics Society? No, not if it doesn’t interest you. But this is my experience of one of hundreds of societies here at Exeter, which started from attending one of over 700 events put on in freshers’ week. So my message is quite simple – get involved! With such a wealth of societies available, there really will be something, or several things, for everyone. Why not see freshers’ week as an opportunity to try out a sport or hobby you’ve never had the chance to before – most societies have some form of taster session, and there’s no obligation to join up if you don’t think it’s your scene. Plus, you can always join a society later on in the term, not just at the Freshers’ fair – just go to the Guild website and sign up online. While studying at Exeter, you’ll realise why we’re probably the best university in the world. When you get involved at Exeter, you’ll realise why we are the best university in the world.

Ronnie Henderson

 Are you getting enough opportunity as a fresher to access the societies you’re interested in? As a returning student, how much did the sessions you attended in freshers’ week affect your involvement with societies now? Leave a comment below or write to the Comment team at the Exeposé Comment Facebook Group or on Twitter @CommentExepose.