Anticipation is a terrifying thing. Not knowing what to expect from your first week in halls can often be uncomfortable, and even if you think you have it all planned out, you probably don’t.
This is where I come in, to tell you exactly what to expect which will, hopefully, be the exact opposite of my disappointing experience.
My first week in halls was wrought with a mixture of excitement and anxiety, with a generous sprinkling of disappointment upon finding out that my flatmates were not exactly the most sociable. I’m not talking about those who simply don’t like going clubbing (fair enough), but those who are not even up for going to freshers events or eating meals together in the kitchen. However, through my own experience and that of my final year friends, I have tried to compile a list of what to expect in your first week of your new home for the year.
Lack of sleep
Although I personally did not experience this (due to the lack of social events I attended with my flatmates), do not expect to get much sleep in your first week in halls. Whether you are going out clubbing every night, or simply staying up chatting and getting to know your new roomies, sleep becomes a luxury.
Homesickness
It is totally normal to get homesick! It might seem silly to be missing home in the first week of university. But, for some, this may be the time they feel it most. Adjusting to your new environment is tricky. It can leave you wishing you were back home under the safety blanket you have known all of your life
Lots of welcome events!
I won’t lie, I cannot remember many specific events that took place in my accommodation (it was three years ago after all) but there will definitely be lots of them. Ranging from (free!) pizza nights, competitive quizzes and cosy film evenings, it is likely that your accommodation will put on lots of events.
Free stuff
Linked to welcome events, this has to be everyone’s favourite – freebies! No one can tell me that they don’t like being given free things. In the first week especially, there will be lots of free things to claim.
Laundry lessons
The struggle of learning to do your own laundry. Can you combine whites with stripes? What temperature do you select for a standard wash? How do you cope with the stress of the overpriced and impossible Circuit laundry? I can safely say that, by the time you come to do your first wash at the end of the week, you will be desperately calling your parents for help. Oh, and also, Circuit will quickly become the bane of your life.
New faces
You will meet lots and lots (and lots!) of people. Although you probably won’t associate with many of them ever again, you will always have fond memories of the awkward moment that you added each other on Facebook. And don’t forget the utter confusion when you check your list of friends on Snapchat to find it filled with usernames you don’t recognise.
Group Chat Olympics
Going hand in hand with new faces, be prepared to be added to many group chats. It will seem exciting in the first week, chatting to all of these people. But trust me, you will soon be putting those chats on mute.
Well, I hope that list helps, and if not, know that I tried my best. Better go delete half of my ‘friends’ on Snapchat now.
See also: Jack Edwards: Where is he now?