Freshers’ Week is over. You’ve lost your voice, half your student loan, and possibly your dignity in Salvos. But which events truly defined York Freshers’ Week this year? Whilst you recover from your Freshers’ flu, we’ve rounded up the biggest bangers, the tragic flops, and the low-key underrated events that got people talking. Somehow, it gets messier and messier each year.
Whether you had the time of your life or now regret your decisions, Freshers’ Week is certainly one way to kick start your uni year.
Club nights
The undisputed backbone of any Freshers’ Week. As a Fresher, these served as the icebreaker for you and your flat, as a second or third year, they reminded you how old you’re getting. Let’s just hope it was worth the hangover. Sure, the themes ranged from neon to shit shirts to British icons, but let’s be honest, everyone just went for the VKs.
Karaoke & Quizzes
Because nothing says “welcome to York” like screaming Mr Brightside off-key in a room full of strangers, only to be dragged into a quiz you didn’t realise you’d signed up for the next night. Who decided that quizzes should happen every Freshers’ Week? They’re a little too stressful and bring out a competitive side you didn’t know you had in you. You somehow find yourself desperately trying to remember capital cities or obscure facts to impress people you met five minutes ago. It’s worth it when you win though.
Crafting
Door signs, mugs, tote bags, bracelets, plant pots…at this point York Freshers could open an Etsy shop by week three. I have to say though, this activity is so wholesome, defo not just for Freshers’ Week. I would happily go into my overdraft if it meant having a cute, hand-painted mug to sip my coffee from every morning.
Hungover brunch
The most important meal of the week: carbs, coffee and shame. Whilst feeling sick over how much money you spent the previous night, you spend even more on an aesthetic brunch to make yourself feel better. Nothing beats a brunch with the girlies in York, served with a side of gossip from last night’s shenanigans.
Ghost tours
Nothing bonds a flat like screaming at a bloke in a cloak outside the Shambles. York is famously one of the most haunted cities in Europe, which means Freshers’ Week is the perfect excuse to be marched around a cobbled street by someone who definitely takes their role a little too seriously. Between the jump scares and overly dramatic storytelling, you’ll probably end up clinging onto your flatmates for dear life. Based off experience, it’s a weird mix of comedy and horror.
Random (but fun) societies
There’s always a random society you have to give a go during Freshers’ Week. Sporty and fun, this is always a great way to bond with your flat, or make new friends. Rollerskating Soc is a popular choice. It looks easy enough when you’re lacing up your skates, but give it five minutes and you’ll realise it’s basically Bambi on ice, minus the grace. Whether you actually master a lap or spend the whole session resembling human bowling pins, it’s an activity that guarantees laughter, bruises, and unexpected flat bonding. Half the fun is watching your flatmate fall flat on their face.
Run clubs
Very ambitious for week one, when most people are struggling to run on three hours’ sleep and a questionable diet. There’s always one overly keen flatmate who swears they’re going to keep it up all semester, only to mysteriously disappear the second the 9am lectures kick in. The rest of you will watch in disbelief as they jog off in neon trainers while you can barely jog your memory of what happened the night before. I respect those of you who somehow manage to balance uni, nights out and running the odd marathon for fun.
Duck feeding
As if you can bribe York’s ducks into liking you. The geese already run campus, and no amount of stale bread is changing that. Every year, Freshers arrive thinking they’re about to have a wholesome Disney moment by the lake, only to realise they’ve actually walked straight into a turf war. The ducks will tolerate you at best, while the geese patrol like bouncers outside a club. P.S still missing you Long Boi x
