Congratulations. You’re about to begin one of the strangest, loudest, loneliest, most unforgettable chapters of your life (and no, that’s not being dramatic). Whether you’ve joined uni to study quantum physics or the queue times at the nearest pub, your first year is going to be one of the craziest so far.
As a second-year student (aka recently ex-fresher) this guide will help you navigate the whirlwind that is first-year uni. And this one’s based on experience only.
Freshers’ Week
Also known as the week of questionable decisions. Let’s be honest, the first few weeks are less “structured academic journey” and more “surreal social experiment with optional lectures”.
Expect to go out five nights in a row with your one-night only budget, and then stumble to your supervision meeting the next day, still unsure how you got home the night before. Themed outfits will become your best friend for all those Wednesday night socials. If you’re like me and love a good shopping spree, you’ll end up with a “going out clothes” box under your bed that didn’t manage to squeeze into your overflowing wardrobe.
Also don’t forget the painfully slow decline of your voice from shouting over music and introducing yourself to 87 new people in one week, only managing to remember the name of two. I promise it’s fun.
Girl nights
The epitome of “Yeah! I got my girls”. The people you meet at uni will become your immediate source of happiness. Catching up on 18 plus years of life before meeting each other is enough to get you talking non-stop. Gossiping about ex’s, giggling over childhood crushes, sharing wardrobes and staying up chatting all night- that’s as wholesome as it gets.
Girl nights are the soft-core heart of uni life: where friendships are built, existential crises’ are shared, and every problem is temporarily solved with a group selfie and communal sweet treat run.
Clubbing and drinking culture
Uni nights out are not for the faint-hearted. You’ll quickly learn the rules to save not only your crippling bank account, but also your sanity.
Pre-drinking is a uni staple. VK’s are weirdly everywhere and you suddenly realise how good (and cheap) wine is. Those bevs will cause you to lose at least one friend, debit card, and quite a bit of dignity though.
Wednesdays become the new Fridays. Yes, it’s mid-week, but you’re a uni student now, that 9-5 style school structure no longer exists. Welcome to the land of themed socials – where club attire doesn’t mean heels and a dress, it means dressing as a traffic cone and pretending it’s normal (because here, it is). Remember that sparkly tutu from your 5th birthday? The pirate hat you stole from your cousin’s house years ago? Bring them all with you, there’s always a bizarre theme that will appear on the social schedule.
Reality check: you don’t have to drink to fit in, or force yourself to attend another club night. You’ll always feel the wrath of the club entry fee if you aren’t totally in the vibe for the night. The cooler people are the ones who know their limits (and don’t end up getting with someone you’ll awkwardly see in a seminar or most importantly… your flat).
Living alone: The weirdest feeling
You’re on your own… no parents, no one asking what time you’ll be home, no dinner waiting unless you make it (and by “make” I mean the magic of the airfryer).
The highs are chomping cereal at midnight with no judgement, decorating your room like you exist in the physical form of Pinterest, and having the ability to go and knock on your flatmates doors whenever you want. You are finally living your childhood dream by living with your best friends. Even if there’s disagreements down the line with your flat, you’ll always remember they were the closest people to you at this stage in your life. You’ll learn how to cook (eventually), how to manage money (badly at first), and how to be okay on your own. That’s something to be proud of.
Final advice: Be kind to yourself
University isn’t just about assignments and grades – it’s about figuring yourself out. Some nights will feel like movie scenes, others will feel like you’re the only one not having fun. Everyone’s winging it. Everyone’s scared. No one really knows what they’re doing.
As a second year student, I’m currently reminiscing my first year of uni. Naturally I’m met with a mix of emotions, all leading to the feeling of nostalgia. I miss first year. So much. But the start of my second year has been the happiest I’ve ever been. Most importantly, remember it’s okay if you don’t love every moment. Living alone, learning how to be an adult, navigating social chaos – it’s messy. But it’s also perfect, in the kind of way that only happens when you’re 18.
So, say yes (within reason), stay hydrated (not just with vodka), and stay yourself.
Welcome to the madness. You’ve got this.
