I’m writing this as advice for first years in general, but also as advice that I wish I knew as someone who was once a clueless fresher. A new city, new people, and new information made me feel so clueless, so I’m hoping that any first years reading this has it figured out way quicker than I ever did. But even if you don’t, that’s also okay.
1. You will stress and that’s okay
Do not undermine your feelings at all. The support and wellbeing team exist for a reason. If I’d known that I could speak to them and speak to my module convenors about extensions on my work due to stress and low mood, I would’ve used it for all three years. It’s obviously easier said than done, but if you have any evidence that your work is causing you to stress, or life in general is getting you down, please let the support and wellbeing team know.
Also creating an easy self-care routine on those days that you feel down, lonely, or tired would be useful. Having a comfort show, making a comfort meal or creating a playlist for both happy and sad moods is a form of self-care. Sometimes I just needed days to reset by myself and cry it all out, which were better than any Korean face mask I put on and any calming herbal tea that I drank.
2. Do your readings and go to your seminars
You can definitely get away with not going to lectures, as often they’re recorded, unless you’re in your final year and your lecturer stops recording lectures because he thinks that it’ll improve attendance (it will not). However, if you’re doing an essay-based subject like I did, you should prioritise the readings for your seminars so that you know what to say, how to evaluate and analyse the reading, and also how to use the reading for your essay. Trust me when I say that those essay deadlines come around quickly.
It’s also no use reading work for your seminar once- go back and read things you don’t understand, highlight them, ask about them in your seminar. Also write down anything you liked or hated about your reading; sometimes philosophers like to yap about the same thing over and over, so call them repetitive, or call them outdated because they died centuries ago.
3. Make the effort with your friends
Even though I’m saying this, you don’t need to rush into every friendship you make. I felt like at university it’s a lot harder to have consistent friends and friend groups, because everyone’s not in every day, and peoples’ schedules don’t line up.
I was lucky enough to make friends through any social activity at uni. I made friends through the societies I joined (including Her Campus), through my course and through pre-drinking with a bunch of random people. I also came to appreciate casual and quick coffee meetups or library study sessions, because it’s a nice compromise when everyone has a busy schedule and needs to get work done, but they still want to socialise. Obviously prioritise your work, but during your break, a debrief and an iced coffee from George Green library is needed. The pumpkin spice lattes are so good, and they serve them all year round.
I’m also not saying you have to speak everyday on those fresher group chats with 300 people, but maybe keep in touch with that one girl from that one group chat made by someone on your course. You may realise that you have nothing in common and never speak again, or you may realise you have everything in common and she becomes your new library study buddy.
4. You might be ingesting a lot more alcohol than usual
You’re away from home and the LIDL near you sells a big and cheap bottle of vodka. Do not try and finish that bottle of vodka in a night. Drinking responsibly is something I haven’t really had to learn about or adapt to, especially because I’m not a big drinker. However, there’s been a night or two (or ten) that you drink a lot more than you expected. Stay hydrated, make sure your phone isn’t on silent when your friends call you after you’ve wandered off, and also keep a sweet treat and some takeaway on standby for 3a.m. You’ll thank me later.
5. Check out a lot of societies and see what you like
A lot of people are in the same boat as you; new city, new surroundings. Joining a society is a great way to meet people and to also socialise. I’d joined Once a Month society, Afro Caribbean Society, Black Feminist Society and (of course) Her Campus, and I only really went to the socials that interested me, but don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try something new, like tote bag decorating or a sip and paint. I say each society does a good job of having well rounded socials, such as drunk or sober socials, or movie nights, so just go to whatever you feel like you’ll be able to socialise at.
Also get involved with the societies you join and run for a committee role if you’re interested in doing so; the more people within a society that become familiar with you, the greater your chances are of being elected. It’s a great way to show love for your society, and it also gives you something outside of your course to look forward to. Being a co-president of Her Campus Nottingham has been so rewarding, and it has deepened my love for reading and for journalism.
6. There’s way more to your university city than just clubbing
I’ll just list my favourite places:
Cafes
- district coffee
- 200 degrees coffee
- dispatch coffee
- Chaa Biskut
- George green library café
- Wollaton park café
- Trent building café
Restaurants
- Tamatanga
- Sexy mama loves spaghetti
- Paste
- Pizza Pilgrims
- Jamaican ways
- Coco Tang
- Canton Chef (takeaway only)
- Mr Man’s Chinese
Parks
- Wollaton park
- Highfields Park
- The Downs (Uni Park campus)
- Lenton Recreation Ground
Activities
- Pot N Kettle (pottery painting)
- Savoy Cinemas
- Roxy Ballroom (karaoke)
- Thrifting places:
- White Rose
- COW thrift
- British Heart Foundation
- Penny Lane Arcade
Pubs (That are not Wetherspoons)
- The Three Wheatsheaves
- Rose and Crown
- Magic Garden
If you decide that none of these places are for you, here are some popular club nights for each day of the week (please rest on the Sunday before your 9am):
Monday: Unit 13
Tuesday: Unit 13, Stealth
Wednesday: Crisis (Rock City), Ocean
Thursday: Rock City
Friday: Ocean, Ink
Saturday: Ink
7. Make a playlist of songs you find in university so that you can look back on them
I’ve been doing this since secondary school, and now I always get an impending feeling of nostalgia when I hear certain songs, as they remind me of certain people or certain memories. Hearing “Rich Baby Daddy” by Drake, Sexy Redd and SZA will always remind me of my first semester of university, when I was having pre-drinks with my friends in student halls.
So, to my first- year self, and to anyone who’s reading and about to start their journey, continue their journey or end their journey in Nottingham, I wish you the very best and I hope everything works out for you. <3