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A breath of freshers' air Freshers’ week is an exciting time for any new student. Liane-Rose Bunce gives you the low-down on getting the most out of it, from the clubs and societies you can join, to the help and advice on offer |
| Starting life at college or university can be a daunting experience for any
student. But if you are leaving home to study in a new country with a
different language and culture, it can seem particularly so. Freshers’ week is designed to help you get over any first-week nerves and settle into your new surroundings before the start of your course. As Kassie Bath, director of freshers’ week at the University of Exeter explains, the purpose is ‘to make sure that you have fun, make friends and ease yourself into the academic side of life by meeting your tutors and fellow students’.With increasing numbers of students coming from across the world to study in the UK, you will find that many of the events and programmes that take place during this week are specifically tailored to the needs of international students. You won’t have to do any study during freshers’ week, but with so many events and activities to choose from, it could be one of the busiest weeks of your year. Societies and clubs One of the highlights of freshers’ week for many students is the freshers’ fair. This is held by an institution’s Students’ Union and gives you the opportunity to join clubs and societies that could help to shape your life outside of study time. Most institutions have a very wide range of clubs and societies to choose from, often influenced by their location. For example, if you study in a maritime town, there is a greater chance that you will be able to join a sailing club, such as the one at The University of Hull. The University of Sheffield makes the most of its location in the heart of the Pennine hills, with its own climbing society.There are also the more obscure societies, including those dedicated to science fiction or rock music.The benefits of joining societies extend beyond the chance to pursue new and established interests. They are a great way to make new friends with a shared interest who you would not otherwise have met. Most institutions also have students’ societies representing nationalities from many parts of the world.The University of Essex has an influential Hellenic Society which is supported by its many Greek students. Loughborough University’s Islamic society holds daily prayers, social and sporting events and lectures. There is also a purpose built prayer room on-campus with a separate area for Wudhu (a form of ritual cleansing which involves washing the face and hands) for both men and women. Every week, the society also holds classes for those who wish to gain a basic understanding of the language. If you are going to study in Manchester, you can also join the International Society which brings together international students from the three universities in Greater Manchester; The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford. You can find out more information about the society at your freshers’ fair. The society not only organises social trips and events around Manchester, the UK and the rest of Europe, but also provides additional welfare advice. With at least 100 nationalities normally represented by its membership, the society prides itself on creating an atmosphere in which people from all over the world can begin to understand different cultures. Arriving in the UK Ethnic and religious societies often help to ease the culture shock students experience when they arrive in a new country and offer useful advice. The International Office at your institution will, however, be on hand during freshers’ week to help you adjust to other aspects of college/university life. Students often have contact with the International Office before they leave for the UK, which makes it easier for students to ask them any questions when they arrive. International offices also organise induction programmes. The timetable and support offered to international students depends on the individual institution. At the University of Cambridge, international students arrive earlier than home students.The University of Cambridge, like many other institutions, has a meet-and-greet service. This means that students can be met at the airport, railway or bus station and escorted to the University.There is also an ‘Early Bird Cambridge Crawl’, a tour around the city with other international students.At The University of Sheffield, an International Summer School is held to help students adjust to living in the UK, whilst at the same time improving their English language skills. Help and advice One of the most important things you will have to do during freshers’week is to register with your university and enrol on your course.When you do this you will receive your NUS card and will be welcomed by your department and given your timetable. During the week, departments may also organise parties – where you will get to meet staff and fellow students – and study workshops,which teach you about the academic system at the university and provide a grounding in academic skills such as essay writing and presentation skills. At Bath Spa University College, all international undergraduates take part in a four-week study skills course,where students receive subject-related support in small groups. Even throughout the course, tutors give preparational sessions before lectures, which introduce students to the main concepts of a subject and any specialised vocabulary that will be used.After the lecture, students meet with a subject specialist to discuss the lecture and raise any issues they may have. Freshers’ week is also a useful opportunity to take care of practicalities such as signing up with a doctor and dentist, opening a bank account, and generally finding your way around. International societies and student welfare offices are on hand to answer any questions you may have and will also be available to advise you on any personal or welfare issues that arise during your course. For advice on any academic issues you should usually talk to staff in the department you’ll be studying in. You will meet your personal tutor for the first time during freshers’ week. Going out You will have plenty of opportunities to socialise during freshers’week. In fact, the many social activities and events that are organised for freshers often last longer than a week. As well as any events planned by individual clubs and societies or your halls of residence, the Students’ Union will arrange a busy schedule of social activities which will often include special events at nightclubs and bars, live music, DJs, karaoke, comedy and a Freshers’ Ball, which is usually scheduled for the last night. Although it is likely to be a busy and slightly expensive time, socialising during freshers’ week will allow you to meet lots of new people and will give you the chance to explore your new home. Settling in When you arrive in the UK to study, you will be in good company. Over 300,000 international students begin a course in the UK every year. The UK’s colleges and universities have a great tradition of welcoming international students to the UK and freshers’week is really just the start of it. Every institution has a system in place for dealing with the welfare of international students.The Student’s Union and international society are your first port of call for any personal issues you may have, and they will also form the basis of your social life. The UK has one of the lowest drop-out rates in the world.With freshers’ week to kick off your study experience in the UK, you will soon begin to understand why. |
