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It’s your first week! You’re in a new place, with new people and an exciting adventure ahead of you.
But as well as being exciting, it can also feel overwhelming.
We’ve put some top tips together to help you settle in and make the most of your first week and beyond.
Attend Your Welcome Events
Welcome Week (sometimes called Freshers' Week) is packed with activities, events, and information sessions designed to introduce you to university life.
Try to attend as many relevant events as possible, including:
- Course induction sessions
- Students' Union events
- Accommodation events
- Welcome talks
- Social activities
You don't need to attend every event possible, but getting involved can help you learn your way around campus and meet people before lectures begin.
Creating a home from home
Before your course starts, make sure your room is a home away from home. Knowing where everything is, creating a tidy space and including some home comforts will all be worthwhile after a long day at uni. It’ll also make you feel connected to home whilst you’re studying and help you settle in quicker.
Getting to know your new home
Your first week is a great time to figure out what’s nearby, from where the nearest shops are, to the supermarket, to your lecture halls and seminar rooms.
If you’re not sure then head to reception and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.
Stay Open to New Experiences
University is full of opportunities you may never have encountered before.
Say yes to opportunities that interest you, whether that's attending a social event, trying a new activity, joining a society, or meeting people outside your usual friendship group.
Some of the most memorable university experiences begin with stepping slightly outside your comfort zone. We’ve put some links together on our Get Involved page to help you get started.
Staying safe
It’s very easy to slip into a situation that you’re not quite comfortable with, or for an accident to happen and someone to get hurt.
We want you to be safe during your time at university. Our safeguarding yourself and others blog will help you navigate what to do in certain situations and how to keep you and your friends safe on a night out.
Get Organised
University life comes with greater independence and responsibility, so it's worth taking some time to get organised early.
Consider:
- Making sure you know how to work everything within your accommodation - not sure how something works? Ask the team!
- Complete your inventory when you move in and don't put it off - it only takes a few minutes
- Planning on watching TV? Make sure you arrange your TV license else you won't be covered
- Downloading your timetable and locating your classrooms
- Putting time aside each week to do your food shop and your laundry
- Familiarising yourself with the local area and what to do in an emergency
- Adding important dates and deadlines to a calendar - including any events ran by your accommodation
Being organised from the start can help you feel more confident and prepared.
Don't Worry If Everything Doesn't Fall Into Place Immediately
One of the biggest misconceptions about university is that everyone finds their best friends, favourite activities, and perfect routine in the first week.
In reality, university is a journey. Friendships develop over time, confidence grows gradually, and it often takes several weeks or months to feel truly settled.
Be patient with yourself and remember that it's okay if your experience doesn't look exactly like someone else's.
Give Yourself Time to Settle In
It's easy to feel pressure to have the "perfect" start to university, but it's important to remember that settling in takes time.
Some students make friends immediately, while others take longer to find their social circle. Some feel at home straight away, while others experience homesickness or uncertainty. All of these experiences are completely normal. Focus on taking things one day at a time and allow yourself space to adjust.
Looking after your mental health
Being in a new place, meeting new people and the day to day of uni life can be stressful, so it’s important that you take time to look after yourself. Your mental health is important and it’s okay to reach out if you need support.
Don’t forget to make sure you’re registered with your local GP. You’ll feel less stressed once these things are taken care of and you have a plan. Even if you don't need support right now, it's useful to know what's available in case you do in the future.
And don't forget that we're here to support you! You can find more guidance around support on our blog.
Most importantly, remember to have fun. Going to university is an amazing experience that you will never forget.
If you have any questions or are unsure, then just get in touch with the team or head to reception where they’ll be happy to help.