The Disillusion of Fresher’s Week
“University will be the best time of your life” – you’ll probably here this phrase regurgitated several times before, during, and way after university has ended. It is with no surprise that most of us arrive at uni with a huge amount of expectancy and anticipation baggage especially where the much hyped-up period of Fresher’s week is concerned.
During this whirlwind period, you will be caught up in a plethora of socialising events many you would never have dreamed of choosing before, but hey, why not? You are getting to meet new people, familiarise yourself with a new city and of course discover your favourite pub. You jump at every opportunity, sign up to every society – especially when it comes with a freebie – and generally move at the speed of lightening. All of which is very exciting and what you hoped it would be and more!
However, starting life away from home can bring along a catalogue of potential problems in tow, ranging from the pitfalls of financial liberation from your parent’s purse strings, to the dilemmas of making new friends and finding your own particular crowd. That’s not to mention of course facing the reality of a 3-year commitment to the challenge of self-motivating, largely independent academia. Nevertheless, as anxieties and fears threaten to overwhelm you (not to mention lack of sleep) don’t become disillusioned as early as fresher’s week – it ends but there is life after!
Whether you’ve moved from afar, or you’re commuting to uni from the comforts of your home, there is no doubt; this is the beginning of a new journey. It’s okay to feel slightly lost, it’s okay to pause, admit that it’s not all you hoped it would be – chances are there are others feeling just the same. After the rush of those first few weeks, the exciting free money in your account (it takes a while to realise that a student loan doesn’t go far) and the possibly boring introductory talks you’re obliged to sit through, you may start to get a little overwhelmed; you may start to feel a little homesick.
Homesickness is not unusual, or weird. It’s perfectly normal for some degree of panic to set in after the first weeks – days even. Fresher’s week is a great way to meet new people and the events are designed with the primary focus of helping ease you through the transition into university life.
Fresher’s week is not the be all or end all. You may indeed make your best friends for life, or meet the person you will marry during the first week, or you may just become acquainted with a lot of drunken people that you try to avoid for the next three years. Take the pressure off, phone home, plan a visit; share it with those around you. You never know, others may be experiencing the very same feelings. All such conversations could lead to wonderful friendships.
