How about doing a bit of studying in your first week as well.....? It IS what you're supposedly there for.

John Tomlinson, Brentwood, UK

Good Article.

I can tell people one thing and this is purely my opinion, but being in a relationship whiles at university the biggest mistake anyone can make. I had a few friends that were in relationships and most them wanted to spend time with g/b friend.

University is about having fun, going out and doing stuff you normally wouldn’t. Why does any who is 18-19 need a relationship sow wild oats guy (make u use protection) and girl enjoy guys to know what you like and what you don’t (again make sure he has protection). None of this relationship malarkey.

Also make sure you get out enough because once you finish uni and start working those memories will keep u going believe me I know.

One last piece of advice I would give is make sure you go to a university away from home; it will build your character and make you as a person.

Other then that keep safe, and enjoy the next three years unless you’re doing medicine then its 5.

Ameer, London,

As many others have said, that stuff about relationships is complete shite. Almost everyone I know who started uni with a girl/boyfriend remained with them for a good while after. If you both want it to work, it will. University isn't the constant shag fest some people appear to misguidedly think it is, anyway-the people you meet at uni are no more likely to be more attractive or eligible than the people you meet in any other walk of life.

Lea, Bristol,

The best advice for freshers weeks I can give is do what YOU want. I started at university already dating a guy who had lived in the city for five years already, and I still regret not joining more societies and not making more friends of my own during that time, and missing out on many opportunities. I just hung out with his friends instead.

That said, I recovered in 2nd year... just remember, it is NEVER too late at uni to be who YOU want to be, and reinvent yourself. If you're in a relationship you don't want to end when you go to university (and for every “oh, we made it” story everyone who’d been to uni can tell you 50 stories of mates that didn’t) then just don’t limit yourself. There’s no need to snog everyone you meet, just don’t exclude members of the opposite sex from being friends purely based on their gender, and the fact that your partner may get queasy if they hear you mention another boy/girls name too often.

Happy hunting everyone!

Lolly, Manchester,

My biggest piece of advice is keep an open mind about everyone that you talk to. The people you make friends with in your first week you could end up detesting once you spend more time with them so I would certainly not limit yourself to the first people you meet. Personally the best people I met were in lectures/seminars/groups.

If you're lucky enough to get good housemates when you start, thats great. My main problem was that a lot of the people at my university weren't very grounded/down to earth and seemed to be trying to be a stereotype of a student.

Also, regarding relationships..my girlfriend started uni last september and we're still together, nearly 2 years now and planning on getting engaged. After 7 months I moved down to live with her and a couple of her uni friends so we get to be together without spoiling her 'university experience'

Mark, York,

Well when i started uni a little while ago, the relationship i was in broke up during freshers week (though we were studying at the same uni), i was devastated and nearly dropped out.

Whilst it wasn't the greatest 7 days of my life, it's a week I'll remember for the fact that its when i realised I was truly independant and I'm proud of the fact that I got through it.

To my knowledge, not one relationship that was in place at the begining of freshers week survived until the end of the year - though its sad at the time, don't worry about it. Most unis have a strong welfare system and you'll be surrounded by lots of lovely people to get you through the tough times and there's plenty of opportunities to forget about things and move on.


And about nicknames... DONT under any circumstances come up with anything "wacky" (read: tragic) - you'll be surprised how easily they stick, and after three years (or longer if you keep in touch ) they won't seem so hilarious...

K, Bromley, UK

Dear Faye,

Try and say that after a year or two of University.

Ah for the beautiful innocence of Freshers...

Luke, Cambridge,

Crikey, if I wern't foolish enough to do it once, I am off too do it all over again at a brand new university.

It is brilliant though, I don't have to make the same mistakes I did the last time; advice:

- Don't get paraletic on your first night, it doesn't make the best first impression to your new dorm mates when they can here you barfing!

- Make as many friends as possible, don't be content with the the first group you make. I remember having three seperate friendship groups, handy when people aren't free and you want to chill out.

- Biscuits, have a plentiful supply ready and don't afraid to be "teaboy/gal" for the exhausted ones that have just travelled 4 hours to get there.

Other than that, have fun. There are lots of friendly, fun and interesting people to be met.

Ste, Leicester, UK

Fresher's week: exciting but exhausting; odd and overwhelming. Like nothing I've ever experienced, but not necessarily something I'd want to repeat. Accurate article, thank you for not hailing it as THE BEST WEEK OF YOUR LIFE!

I dislike clubbing; yet I went out every night of Fresher's week. It is honestly the best way to get to meet people. As booze runs freely, it loosens inhibitions of people around you makes it easier to talk, even if you don't drink alcohol.

If I had one tip, it'd be to remember names, or at least try and make sure people remember yours. People love the fact that you remember them, or that they know who you are. It's not easy, but repetition helps. I chose my own 'funky' nickname. It worked.

As for mums: make the most of text messaging. First week is hectic and phone conversations aren't always convienient.

Fresher's week was fun but it was such a relief when it was over!

Felicity, Notts,

About to become a freshser, bring on the fun times

Jojo, Nottigham, Uk

gotta agree with faye in hull, bin with my gf for over a year and im not about to throw that away for a future of some bad memories and awkward silences. the rest of the advice makes alot of sense but u cant just assume and generalise every person reading this should abandon their relationships.

Sam, Brighton,

Just about to become a fresher. Author has it spot-on. Except for nicknames.

Louis, sheffield,

I will take into consideration every word said and try and turn that into my advantage this year, thanks

Name Withheld, London, United Kingdom

I disagree wholeheartedly with the part about forgetting your current relationship and snogging everything. How can swapping saliva with a few strangers (and earning yourself a reputation and a few people you need to dodge for the rest of the year) possibly seem a better option than at least trying to keep a happy relationship with someone you love going?

Faye, Hull,

I'm sorry, but this is mince. It screams Middle Engand, a term I still regard as a spelling mistake (it's really Middle Earth, kids).

Kiss everyone? That'll land you in hot water. Yes, go out, have fun. Don't expect it to be great.

But don't act like a tool either.

Sredni Vashtar, Ayrshire,

Hmmm some good advice there, especially the nick name thing (I wanted Two Angels [due to my two rather large angel tattoos on either shoulder] but ended up with Ginge…. Could have been worse though) For Nicknames go for something simple but cool. I live with another guy called Chris so we call him HH (surname) and the other Kris in the rock soc is pronounced K heavy, K-ris.

But here are some other things to remember (and these are from experience). Do NOT snog every girl/guy you meet as it may lead to complications. As in being accused of cheating as some girls see a pull as a contract to a relationship. I was in hot water with the girls I lived with (17 out of 20 rooms were girls in my halls floor[not as much fun as you guys would think, thankfully the two guys I lived with were really nice guys and heacy drinkers like myself.) This situation made things awkward for a time. Also do not flirt with everyone you meet, bad thing to do. Don’t know who you might end up with.

Chris H, London, UK

I made a complete mess of my fresher's week. The highlight being a trip to some international country dancing night. Can you just imagine the fun?

Because my housemates were 'crazy' (to put it pleasantly) and I had no experience of drinking and being high, my impression was that I didn't ever want these experiences. I didn't go out at all. This was a huge mistake. Even if you aren't a fan of what you deem to be the stereotypical freshers week, it is still definately worth doing it properly.

After all it's only 7 days and after that you won't ever have regrets about not getting out there and meeting new people. And, more importantly, you don't ever have to do it again.

Hannah, Leeds,

The most useful advice (and I wish my students learned it): you are now an adult. If something goes wrong, it is your responsibility and you need to sort it out. Excuses do not help, and pity from a lecturer means a subsequent lack of respect for you. Learn to cope.

As for advice for a mother: children at/going to university are adults, leave them be. Sympathise, support, but for goodness sake let them sort things out on their own. One student with an overly needy parent (who kept summoning them home for 'emergencies') ended up having to repeat the first year because of it. Universities are generally very safe places, you child will be fine.

JS, Cambridge,

Any useful advice to a mother with a daughter off to Uni?

Dee, West Midlands,

After a having a nightmare start to uni last year (which resulted in me dropping out) I am ready to attack this year with a much more positive attitude.

Many factors, including a previous relationship, affected my time whilst away and this article really nails exactly how to act during freshers week.

Don't fall into the misconception that it is the best week of your life. If it is your first time living away from home it really proves to be the toughest.

Don't forget your mates back home but prevent yourself from becoming nostalgic and look positively ahead at the opportunity in front of you!

Joey , Didcot,

Join a club/society.....they get you fully involved into university life, you meet student in various years and disciplines, as an undergraduate they can teach you a lot more than you'll read on the Student Union website!

Watson, Canterbury,

I'm at Edinburgh University now. The "Yahs" are still well and truly with us. They have artfully distressed hair and wear skirt/legging/boot combinations. Not so Ethno now though.

Natasha Wood, Edinburgh,

Absolutely brilliant! Hit the nail on the head, can't wait for my third freshers week to roll by!

mike, Leeds,