Freshers Week 2023 is rapidly approaching, and if you’re a soon-to-be first year, it’s essential you make the most of this unforgettable experience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to socialise with other students and get a real taste of university life!
We’ve covered everything you need to know about Freshers Week to guarantee you’ll have a great experience.
You might have heard of Freshers Week (or Welcome Week as it’s sometimes called), but you might not know exactly what it involves. Although every UK university’s Freshers Week is a bit different, every week is designed to welcome new students to uni life, give you a chance to make new friends and learn more about your course.
They’ll typically be a mix of admin, academic and social events you can attend. There might be a couple of compulsory events, such as student registration or talks about your course or department, but mostly, you’ll be free to pick and choose what stuff you want to do.
The social events make Freshers Week what it is, so try and get involved with as much stuff as possible. From club nights to fairs, there’ll be a tonne of stuff on offer. You won’t have any seminars or lectures to worry about yet, so it’s up to you what you do with your time!
Freshers Week is usually the first week at university, but some universities have two weeks of Freshers Week. Typically, this is mid or late September, but you’ll need to check your university website or timetable for the exact dates to ensure you don’t miss it!
If you’re not a super social person, you might wonder if attending Freshers Week is compulsory…
The short answer is no; most events aren’t compulsory except for some admin tasks or academic talks. Any events you must attend will be clearly marked on your timetable. None of the social events will be compulsory.
However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try attending as many events as possible to make the most of your Freshers Week experience. There’ll be a tonne of events and activities during the day and night, so it’s easy to pick the stuff that appeals to you!
Many people think Freshers Week is only for first-year students, which is only partially true. Although some events will be exclusively for freshers, other events will be for all students. Organised student nights out will typically be reserved for the first years, but things like the Freshers Fair or other daytime events will be open to all. Check your university timetable if you’re not sure.
Follow Split the Bills’ top tips to ensure you have the best Freshers Week possible!
Your uni will have a timetable with all the Freshers Week events – look out for an email or check your uni website so you don’t miss out on the best student experience.
You’ll be living with your housemates all academic year, so it makes sense to try and connect with them, but don’t feel like you have to be besties – Freshers Week gives you loads of chances to meet new people. It’s easy to find lots of people who share your interests, are on your course, or play the same sport as you.
Freshers Week is jam-packed with events, but don’t feel like you have to attend everything. There’s no shame in taking a day off to rest and chill. Getting enough sleep and eating well will help you avoid the dreaded Freshers Flu.
You have to attend some events because they’re essential admin tasks or academic talks that will give you some much-needed information about your course. Always prioritise compulsory events over optional ones.
Once you get your first student loan payment, it can be tempting to blow it all at once – it might be the most money you’ve ever had in your bank account. However, remember that this money has to last you the entire term!
Check out our guide on how to budget money as a student for more info on managing your finances and saving money.
Below, we’ll give you a rundown of a couple of the biggest Freshers Weeks so you can get a sense of what kinds of activities and events will be at your uni.
Make the most of this Freshers Week with some of Sheffield’s best nights out at their Student Union, Foundry (named best club in Sheffield in the 2023 Exposed Awards!). If clubbing is not your thing, check out their Freshers Market and Freshers Fair, with many fantastic freebies. They also have a variety of Give it Go activities full of taster sessions organised by clubs and societies.
The University of Manchester has a lot on this September, from a fun-filled bingo club night to an old-school roller disco! There are also loads of more peaceful activities, including yoga, crafting, art and film nights.
There are many welcome events aimed at freshers and returning students alike, with loads of daytime activities, ranging from keyring making to a rodeo bull. There’s also their popular Monday Funday, where you can try rock climbing and laser tag.
Moving into a new house can be exciting! But if you’re feeling nervous about tackling utility bills, a bill-splitting service can help make the experience much more relaxed and enjoyable.
Split the Bills is a bill-splitting service that’s trusted by thousands of students across the country. Our team will set up utility accounts for your student house so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of ringing suppliers, setting up direct debits or calculating how much everyone owes.
Our bill package includes uncapped energy and water, your choice of broadband and an optional TV licence (if you plan on watching live TV). All you need to do is pay one neat monthly bill each month, which covers all your household bills automatically.
Get a monthly price for your household bills today and make moving into your new student house as hassle-free as possible!
The move from first to second year at university often comes with a lot of change as most students will have to start paying bills for the first time. In this feature we discuss how you can keep your finances organised and pay bills responsibly.
The move from first to second year at university often comes with a lot of change as most students will have to start paying bills for the first time. In this feature we discuss how you can keep your finances organised and pay bills responsibly.
The move from first to second year at university often comes with a lot of change as most students will have to start paying bills for the first time. In this feature we discuss how you can keep your finances organised and pay bills responsibly.