You’ve got the acceptance email and now it’s time for you to experience life at Queen’s University. We get it, it’s exciting, it’s new to you but this isn’t the SU’s first rodeo- so we’ve pulled together some need to know tips for you:
1. Get the Lay of the Land
If you can take some time before classes (and freshers) begin, explore your new campus. Figure out how to get to your class to help ease those first-day jitters, locate the library, the Students’ Union , and more importantly, where the best place to get a coffee is (there are loads around campus we promise).
2. Understanding Freshers
Simply put- Freshers is 3-4 weeks of activities and events put on by us, the Students’ Union, to give you the chance to meet new people on your course, try something new, join some clubs or societies, and get to know more about how we can help you get the most out of your first year at Queen’s.
Events start on the first day of the semester (Sept 16th) and they range from big flagship events like our Freshers’ Fair and our brand-new ‘Household’ Festival, to smaller, more relaxed events like the Zen Den and Sensory Space.
You can see the lineup here
3. Everyone’s in the Same Boat
Not to sound too High School Musical “we’re all in this together” but most freshers are just as nervous as you- you’re all starting at Queen’s for the first time. Try your best to put yourself out there, strike up conversations, and remember that the feeling of awkwardness won’t last forever.
Whether you’re in a lecture theatre, browsing the stalls at Freshers’ Fair or queuing for the toilet at the Union Bar, say hi – some of these people might end up being lifelong mates.
4. Get involved – But don’t overexert yourself
We have over 240 clubs and societies for you to join and we have basically everything you can think of- so there’s something for everyone. We also want to squash the rumours you can only join one club or society, you can in fact sign up to as many as you want!
However, we would recommend that in the first instance, you up sign up for a few that genuinely interest you, as there is no pressure to join everything. Focus on things that’ll help you meet people with similar interests as this will help break the ice.
5. You Won’t be Able to go to Every Event
Sorry to disappoint but it’s just a fact.
It also can get overwhelming as every event in Belfast will make it seem like a must go to, life-changing experience for new students (not including ours though, we are class).
Pick a few that speak to you as it’s the best way to find like-minded individuals and save your energy. Or better yet balance some nights out partying with daytime activities- we have heaps of smaller, more relaxed events on over the Freshers’ period!
6. Pace Yourself
We know, we know, you’ve had this talk before and we sound like a broken record but we get it- your freshers’ experience may include some heavy nights out.
It happens, you’re new to drinking and unsure of your limits- this is where partying smarter- not harder comes into play. Avoid mixing too much, have the occasional water or non-alcoholic beverage (the Union Bar stocks Birra Moretti 0% and it’s surprisingly very tasty), and eat some carbs before you go out.
If you hit it too hard and wake up with a pounding headache with a side of hanxiety, the best advice we can give is don’t wallow alone. Avoid doom scrolling on socials, get out of bed, rehydrate, and catch up with your roommates, friends or classmates.
7. Take Advantage of our Free Services
We have some things to help make things a bit easier for you at Union. We’ve free tea and coffee (with all the bits you need to make one as well) in the SU Lounge.
Our Pantry is a big hit with students, you can find it on the ground floor and it offers free cereals, pasta, noodles, herbs, spices and household items refills to Queen’s students (just remember to bring your own containers).
We also have a free sexual health clinic that runs every Monday during term-time from 10-3pm.
8. Plan Your Budget
Almost everyone finds it hard to manage their money at one time or another. We know it can be even harder for you as a student as your income is usually paid to you at different times throughout the year – like a student loan in three installments or a part-time job that pays weekly or monthly.
A budget doesn’t have to be limiting – it’s about planning ahead.
To help you do this we’ve teamed up with Blackbullion– a free digital learning platform with various online courses, tools, and resources to help students learn about financial topics including budgeting.
To access Blackbullion register using your Queen’s email and as a student of Queen’s Students’ Union.
9. Remember why you Came to Uni
Freshers’ is a blast, but it also marks the start of your academic career at Queen’s. Once the lectures kick in, you’ll need to balance the social stuff with getting stuck into your course. Try not to let things pile up from the start – future you will be so so grateful.
If you have any questions that creep up throughout your year, get in touch with our Advice team, they are independent of the University and will offer you free, confidential, up-to-date guidance on academic, money, housing, conduct or funding queries. They have drops-in on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays or you can email them at su.advice@qub.ac.uk.
10. Questions don’t Start and End at Freshers
We aren’t expecting you to arrive with it all figured out, you will be thrown so much information at the start of uni and it’s only natural that it will take you some time to get comfortable in your new surroundings.
Remember, you can join clubs and societies, and take part in our various programmes and events throughout your year at Queen’s- this opportunity doesn’t just end after Freshers!
Stop by for chat, email or DM us if you have any questions- we are here to help you get the most out of your time at Queen’s.
