Top 10 Desi Freshers Tips to Help Students Enjoy Freshers Week

Firstly, congratulations on getting into university. It is important to make time to enjoy Freshers Week and settle in.

Whether you are moving hundreds of miles away to university or are staying local, starting your first year is a momentous change from sixth form or college.

Moving away from home is a huge deal, and for many Desi students, it is the first time they will live independently from their parents or carers.

Students often find themselves struggling to navigate independent life in a brand-new city.

Or, if you are staying local, it may be challenging to find a balance between a new university lifestyle and living at home.

Desi students from, for example, mixed heritage, Pakistani, Indian and Bengali backgrounds face significant change as they begin university.

Emotions like excitement, nervousness and fear are common.

If you are starting your first year of university, these Desi fresher tips will help you to get the most out of Freshers Week.

Set a Budget for Freshers Week and University Life

Alcohol and nights out, especially during Freshers Week, can be very costly.

Have fun, but do not spend all your money in the first week.

Remember, you have an entire year full of costs ahead.

For example, Freshers Week passes or wristbands usually cost around £50-100. The price depends on the university and the number of events included.

After Freshers Week, there will be more expenses such as accommodation, food, and transport, so consider this.

If you can, try to save some money before Freshers Week starts.

This way, you can afford to have some good nights out without worrying about how you will afford food the week after.

Use your Student Discount

Now that you have officially started university use your student discount at every opportunity.

Ask every shop, restaurant, or bar if they offer student discounts or deals; the worst they can say is no.

Most student discounts give you 10% off. You will need your student ID card, so keep it close.

Also, download the following apps: UNiDAYS, Student Beans and Totum to find more deals.

Most online retailers, such as ASOS, JD, Nike, Schuh, and M&S, offer student discounts.

You can also get discounts on dining out, travel and transport, laptops and tablets, make-up, banking and much more.

Join Group Chats

Before you even move out, look at what group chats are available to join.

Facebook is the first place to look. Type in ‘(Your University) Freshers 2024’, and many different groups will appear.

There will be links to WhatsApp groups which are easy to join.

These groups will be full of people from different courses. You may also be able to find group chats for Desi fresher students.

Groups like these give you great opportunities to talk to people in your position.

Do not be shy about introducing yourself and explaining what course you are taking.

You can also join groups for the accommodation you are staying in, whether university-supplied or private.

The advice is to join the group chats that interest you. However, also join groups that will allow you to try new things and meet new people.

Attend Freshers Fair

Freshers fair is a brilliant way to see what opportunities you can get involved in.

This is a chance for you to gauge what type of societies the students at your university run.

Most universities will have societies for almost anything, such as gymnastics, sports, arts, books, music, film, drag, and politics. The list is endless.

Freshers fairs will also highlight the rich and diverse societies available for Desi students.

You can also get lots of freebies, so take them while they are there.

Freebies, vouchers and discount codes at freshers fairs are an excellent way to save money.

Join Societies

Your first week will be busy. However, take this opportunity to join societies, even to get a feel for what they entail.

Many universities will offer students a free trial. Utilise this.

You can meet many people through societies, such as students in their second or third year. These students can inform you about university life or who may be on the same course as you.

You will also meet people outside of your course who share your interests, which is an easy way to make friends.

There are South Asian Societies at Imperial College London, Oxford University, Sussex University, Newcastle University and many more.

For example, there are plenty of societies for Desi students to join at Newcastle University. The Hindu and Sikh Society (HASSOC) holds social events every week.

Taking part in extra-curricular activities such as joining societies will also look good on your CV once you finish university and will be helpful when looking for graduate jobs.

Get to know your Flatmates

A piece of advice is having a good relationship with your flatmates is better than not.

You will see them every day; you might as well talk to them sooner rather than later.

Invest in card games or board games that can be played as an icebreaker or organise to go out as a flat for a meal, drinks, or to explore what the area offers.

Think of these people as your first friends; they are more than likely the first people you will meet, so make an effort.

University is a time to embrace getting to know people from different backgrounds and cultures, which helps one grow and learn.

If you feel comfortable, you could ask your flatmates if they would pool their money to buy groceries and make a Desi-inspired meal, or vice versa.

Hassan, a British Pakistani student who went to Aston University, stated:

“Living on campus and then off with people was great. I taught one of my flatmates a ton of easy Asian food recipes, and they baked for us.”

Talk to People

One of the most important things in Freshers Week is to talk to people.

Every student is in the same position. You need to be confident and put yourself out there.

Hassan advised: “Use Freshers Week to explore; even if you’re nervous, just try to speak to new people. Get out of your comfort zone.”

You could ask questions like:

“What did you do for A levels/college?”

“Where are you from?”

“What modules are you taking?”

“Which accommodation are you in?”

These questions sound like basic small talk, but since you have no idea who the other person is, they make it easier to get to know someone.

University is crucial when friendships are made with local, national and international people.

Desi students can get advice from local students on the best places to buy Desi food, groceries, and restaurants.

Expanding your network is important. You might meet someone who can help you get to places in the future. Therefore, make the most of it.

Say Yes!

Another big tip is to say yes to as much as possible.

If people ask you to go for lunch or get a coffee, say yes, even if you’re nervous.

However, do not let anyone force you to do anything you do not want to do.

As much as you should try to socialise as much as possible and be out of your comfort zone, do not do anything your gut tells you not to.

Everyone has different comfort levels, and if you don’t feel safe doing something that is asked of you, do not do it.

But don’t say no to things because you are shy. The best way to put yourself out there is to say yes more than you would say no.

Dare to take leaps and say yes; you may forge amazing friendships and have unforgettable experiences and memories.

Be Yourself

This may be the most important tip: be yourself.

Put yourself out there and give it time.

It is only the first week. You are going to meet so many people. Some may end up being your best friends, or you will never see them again, and that is okay.

Be your authentic self. There is no point in being fake, or you will end up with people you do not like.

You want to surround yourself with people who reflect you, not with people you do not like.

Furthermore, be prepared to find things that you like to do alone, as you will be alone a lot of the time.

Joining societies can help with this.

Do Not go to Every Single Freshers Event

During Freshers Week, there will be multiple events on every single night.

The fear of missing out (FOMO) might be on your mind, but would you rather have FOMO or a banging headache?

It is better to sit out for a night or two rather than get burnt out and hungover before the year has even begun.

A tip from a student on ‘The Student Room’ is: “Just remember that it’s fine to take some time out for yourself, as Freshers Week can be overwhelming.”

Another piece of advice is not to get too drunk, and this could be the most important tip of all: do not overdo it; watch your drinks and know your limits.

The last thing you want is to throw up all over someone who barely knows you; not the best first impression.

Enjoy yourself, explore different clubs, and drink alcohol you have never had before, but you do not want to harm yourself in the process. Also, consider attending non-alcoholic Freshers Week events.

Twenty-two-year-old Dalveen Sandhu, who has just finished university, revealed:

“One thing I regret is that I never made it past pre-drinks. I feel like I just missed out on a lot of club nights.”

You have at least three years ahead of you on your course and plenty of time to get drunk, so pace yourself in the first week.

Freshers Week is not the best part of University

Freshers Week is the time of year when you can go out and party every night with little responsibility at the start of your university journey.

However, it is important to note that Freshers Week is only the beginning of a fantastic journey.

Enjoy this week as much as you can, as further into your course, you will have to knuckle down with studying.

Hassan, a British Pakistani university graduate, maintained:

“Studying is important, but don’t just do that; live, try things, explore. Have balance.”

The people you meet and the memories you make will last a lifetime.

And remember, if you do not feel this way in the first week, then it’s fine.

Everyone’s journey is different; meeting people you are meant to be friends with can take time.

Hassan concluded: “Once you leave uni, work and life won’t let you have the same freedom.”

So, make the most of your time throughout your university journey.

The start of university can be scary and daunting, but remember to put yourself out there, talk to people, and you will find friends.

Overall, use these tips to help you get the most out of your Freshers Week, and remember the advice for your forthcoming time at university.