As a new student, it can feel daunting leaving school, college or work to start a new adventure at uni. The thought of moving away, meeting new people and starting a new course can be stressful. The problem is many people simply don’t know what to expect from their first week. Here are my experiences of Welcome Week, as well as a few tips to make the most of your first term.
Welcome Week, also known as Freshers’ Week, is the very first week of University. It’s happens a week before lectures start, to give new students a chance to settle into university life. This allows new students, or Freshers, to find their feet, get used to their new surroundings and make new friends. You’ve probably heard of Welcome Week already, but what exactly can you expect from your first week at university?
There are two main aspects of Welcome Week: social activities and academic induction. The university will provide programmes to ease you into classes on your new course, while the Students’ Union (SU) will help you settle in to the social aspects of university.
Induction
One of the most important aspects of Freshers’ Week is meeting new people. Students moving into halls of accommodation will be able to meet their new flatmates, and all students will be able to meet their new lecturers and fellow students.
The university provides induction days for each institution. This allows students to have a general introduction to their course, and meet who they’ll be working with for the next three years. You can find your personalised induction timetable on SOLE, or head over to the Welcome Week page on the University website for more general info.
During my Freshers’ Week, I visited a local activity centre for my sports induction, where we completed an obstacle course as a team. This was a great way to bond with new people, and it was really enjoyable. I also visited Worcester Cathedral with my English class, which also allowed me to mix with people on my course.
Events
Throughout Welcome Week, there will be loads of fun activities on offer. The Students’ Union hold Welcome Week events like a welcome barbecue, hog roast and cider fest for students to attend. Remember: You shouldn’t feel pressured to drink excessive amounts or get involved with anything you don’t want to!
For those that do choose to go on nights out, many local clubs and bars will provide discounts for students. The SU provides free taxis into town that will drop you outside the main venues in Worcester. The SU also have an affiliated taxi firm that will provide discounts for students throughout the year.
Fairs
There will be two key fairs for students to attend. The Freshers’ Fair will allow students to get vital information from local doctors, dentists or opticians, any help on accommodation, and a whole range of freebies, including free pizza! The Sports and Societies Fair sees all of the University’s sports teams and societies gathering in one place to show Freshers what’s on offer outside of lectures.
In addition to sports like rugby, football and netball, there are also other sports to get involved in like Ultimate Frisbee, American Football and Lacrosse. Societies at Worcester range from the Harry Potter Society to the Investment Banking Society. If you don’t find what you are looking for, you can always create your own with the help of the SU!
It’s a good idea to use Freshers’ Week to take the opportunity to explore your new surroundings. Look around the city, search for local supermarkets and register for local doctors surgeries. But above all, embrace any opportunities that come your way and enjoy yourself! Check out societies, try new sports and apply for student jobs – this is the time to give things a go and get stuck in!
Top tip: You can keep up-to-date with all the latest on Freshers’ Week via the University’s social media accounts. Make sure you follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Do you have any questions about Welcome Week? What are you most worried about? Let me know in the comments!
Worcester Student Life 
