You have done the hard part and successfully applied to and been offered a place on a course at a UK university. Your first year at university will see you take in a lot of new experiences, some exciting and some awkward, but life at a UK university begins properly for many students during freshers week.
Freshers week is an opportunity to meet new people, improve your confidence and take part in a variety of different activities whatever your interests.
Making the transition into a new country can be hard, but you will soon find yourself at ease with your new surroundings, meeting like-minded people from all over the world. If you need any further help or advice from SI-UK, arrange a free consultation today.
Freshers Week Advice for International Students
Attend freshers events
Many graduates remember freshers week as one of the most exciting times of their lives. You will be swamped by activities and events to take part in, and it will be tempting to attend them all – pace yourself though as you could easily find yourself spending a lot of energy (and money!) very quickly.
Join clubs and societies
An easy way to meet like-minded people who share your interests is by joining one of the hundreds of clubs and societies that each university have. So whether you are interested in punk music, cycling or films, joining a society is an easy way to share your passion with others.
Start taking advantage of your student discount
When studying at a UK university, you will be eligible for a National Union of Students (NUS) card. Many retailers and restaurants offer up to 25% off clothes and food when using it, so don’t forget to ask before you order if there any valid offers to take advantage of!
Sign up to your local doctor
Being ill and away from home is tough, and having to visit your GP for the first time without being registered can make the experience worse. All universities offer free healthcare for students, so take ten minutes of your day during freshers week to register with the university health centre.
Call home if you’re feeling homesick
Don’t make the mistake of trying to get rid of your parents as soon as possible if they have just helped you move in – you will be surprised how quickly you will miss them. Homesickness affects every student, so if you’re feeling lonely and miss the voice of a loved one, pick up the phone or login to Skype and don’t suppress your feelings!
Back up your work
During freshers week you will be invited to attend welcome seminars and lectures for your new course, and you will soon be overloaded with information about the university, your course and reading lists. Much of this can be found on the university portal, but it is also important for you to get into the habit of backing up your own notes and work on a Google Drive, Dropbox or Cloud account.
Buy your books second hand
A common mistake for students is to buy the books they are required to read brand new from reading lists. University libraries are often well stocked, but also in demand, so for key texts you will need to own your own personal copy. You can save lots of money by buying second hand from a variety of different sources though.
Studying in the UK
If you wish to join the thousands of other international students in studying at a UK university, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK today. We can help you achieve your dreams of studying at a UK university.
I sincerely thank SI-UK for getting me accepted to UCL. The MSc in Urban Development and Planning is extremely competitive, but the right guidance provided by SI-UK made my dream of studying at University College London a reality. The services were exceptional from beginning to end. 