What are your top tips for any new students starting at Aberystwyth in September?
Elain - Make a list of all the events which appeal to you during fresher’s week and plan the week ahead.
Emily (Mo) - Try new things, give things a go and be yourself. This is your new home, so express yourself and be you as much as you can. Also do not feed the seagulls!
Bayanda - Try out some of the freshers activities during the week
Tiif - Just say yes! Give anything and everything a go and join a student group – whether that be a sport, society, or volunteering project.
Will - Do yourself a favour and use the buses, it costs around £1.25 to get the bus up the hill, it becomes necessary after an attempt walking up with multiple bags and a backpack full of shopping. On the flipside I also recommend walking, everything in Aberystwyth is within a walkable distance, don’t feel pressured into needing a car.
How to make friends during Freshers?
Elain - Before I ventured to Aberystwyth, I watched several videos on Youtube that shared ‘top tips’ on beginning at Uni, and one that definitely helped me to make friends during my first days was to buy a door stop in order make sure that my room was open as people would move into the flat. So, buy a door stop!
Emily (Mo) - Making friends can sound and feel so daunting. I think this was one of my biggest worries before starting. You will be able to find your people but don’t worry if this doesn’t happen immediately!
Get involved, get your new housemates to join you at the freshers’ events, ask them if they want to join you at the shops or for an explore around town, or even if they would like to have a cuppa!
Bayanda - Your housemates will be your first friends but joining clubs and socs is also another great way.
Tiif - Go to Fresher’s Fair, go to the evening events (even if you’re alone), go to clubs and societies’ GIAG (Give it a go) events and buy a doorstop for your room so you can make small talk when your flatmates walk past. Spend lots of time in your joint kitchen/communal space.
Everyone is in the same boat. Everyone is trying to make friends and everyone is feeling nervous about it. Be brave and just go for it. Try something new. This is the perfect time.
Will - I do not drink so my options are limited social wise, for my fellow non-drinkers, I recommend you look on the Undeb Aber website and find 1-3 societies/clubs and get involved in their relevant events. Having friends that are still friends when sober is better than having a good friend but only when they’re drunk.
What is your favourite Freshers memory?
Elain - The fresher’s six-man crawl with third year students. Lots of fun from what I remember.
Emily (Mo) - During freshers my housemates and I went to the pub for a chill drink and then got a takeaway afterwards. Although at the time it felt quite awkward, we all had a laugh, and it was nice to spend time with people outside of the house.
Bayanda - Tarannau Time during my freshers week.
Tiif - Meeting so many new people and spending every night just sitting in our kitchen just talking and playing games.
Will - My freshers were in September of 2020, so it was a vastly different experience to what it is currently. But my main core memory would be playing a game of Warhammer on the bench tables outside the Fferm Penglais Y Ffald, we were unable to play inside due to covid restrictions to set towels over the table to stop miniatures falling over.
Any advice you would give to a Fresher?
Elain - Times flies, so make the most of every opportunity.
Emily (Mo) - Seek support if you need it, if you need advice or help in anyway then reach out. There are people here to support you and people who want to do that!
Bayanda - Don’t feel rushed to settle in, it can sometimes take a while.
Tiif - Uni is the perfect fresh start. Try everything, meet as many people as you can and use this opportunity to become your new adult self.
Will - You do not need to drink to have fun. Plus, the bonus tip of get involved in the Undeb Aber.