August 2, 2012, by Harry Waddle

Freshers’ friends last a lifetime

On Sunday 23 September over 5,000 first year students will descend on Nottingham with a shared feeling of nervous excitement.

Living away from home, exploring a new city and a first taste of University life is the reward for those hard-earned A-level results.

But after waving goodbye to parents and the familiar comforts of home, the fresher experience can suddenly seem daunting.

Finding a friendly face quickly becomes the priority.

Luckily everybody will be experiencing exactly the same emotions, keen to get to know as many people as possible.

I graduated from University six years ago and still look back on Week One with fond memories. From joining the Rugby Union society to nervously awaiting my first journalism lecture, I remember the experience vividly.

But without question, it was the people I met in the first few days at University that made my first week so memorable.

Whether introduced in customary fresher style – “where are you from? what course are you doing?” – to something completely random, most notably in my case – “so who is your favourite Thundercats character” – meeting people will never be easier than in Week One.

With new flat mates to meet, Students’ Union activities to attend and finding somebody to sit next to in your first lecture, opportunities to get to know other students are available at every turn.

Not everybody you meet in that first week will be a friend for life; but there’ll be others who you’ll still be meeting up with long after your parents have hung your graduation picture above the mantel piece.

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