How to shake off those Freshers’ anxieties

Say yes to everything

Okay, obviously within reason. It is so important, especially within the first few weeks of your University career, to say yes to as much as you possibly can. Flatmates want you to explore the local Sainsburys with them? Sure! The society you want to join invited you along to a BBQ at the weekend? Sounds good! It may be scary at first to spend time with someone you literally just met, or approaching a group of people who already seem to be friends, but this is the time to make as many friends as you can. Throw yourself into everything head first, and, trust me, you won’t regret it. You’ll end up having an absolute blast and forgetting all about those anxieties you had on move in weekend.

Learn as much as you can as quickly as you can

Being in a foreign city is daunting, especially when you have no idea where you’re going or where anything is. Every trip to the local shop is an adventure, but this can be just as terrifying as it is exciting. Take the opportunity while you don’t have lectures to explore where you’re living and the city centre. The quicker you learn the bus routes, where your closest shops and the best route to campus the more comfortable you’ll feel. Knowing about your surroundings will stop everything feeling so foreign, and you’ll feel more in control instantly.

Get chatting

Everyone is in exactly the same boat as you, and everyone is just trying to make friends. Strike up a conversation about anything and everything and you’ll feel instantly more at ease. Tell your flatmates about that one time you lost your hamster up the chimney, or how you got so drunk at prom you vomited on your form tutor. The only way you’re going to make those friends for life everyone keeps banging on about is to get chatting, and creating friendships will help you settle in quicker.

Keep yourself busy

Freshers is the most exciting time of the University year, so take advantage of this. Go to every fayre, attend as many events as you can and explore all the local restaurants and bars. Keeping yourself preoccupied will stop those worries creeping in, and it’ll help you decide what types of things you want to spend your time on during the year. Sitting alone in your bedroom in a flat that doesn’t feel like home yet is the worst thing you can do, so be sure to surround yourself with people.  Above all, you are embarking on one the most exciting journeys of your life, so don’t forgot to throw yourself in and soak up the buzz of freshers.