“A fresher is a first-year student in an educational institution” (Wikipedia)
But does this really describe what is it like to be a Fresher? Not in a slightest, so in this post I will try to give a few insights into the greatest week in the life of every undergraduate. Do not try to understand or imagine what it’s like – to feel this vibrant atmosphere you have to be the part of it. Just read and be jealous!
The official start of the term was on the 3rd of October. On the same day there was a meeting for students not living in halls of residence (yes, we do exist) followed by the first event of the fresher’s week – the Mingle.
While standing in a queue I met people I spent much of the night with and even one Biochemist! I was amazed how easy it was to approach people - just ask a few banal questions (by the end of the week I was pretty tired of endless “what’s your name?”, “which course are you doing?”, and finally the most annoying “which hall are you in?” but at the moment I really excited about it) and 10 minutes latter it seems like you know each other for ages.
We went in, got a few drinks and sat down in one of the bars in the College Union (an organization run by students for students where all the main events are held, club and societies are getting together and relatively cheap (well, nothing is really cheap in London) drinks and food are sold.
People kept coming and joining our table and even though most of us already could not remember each other’s names we were all involved in a very active conversation. We were changing our location around the Union (mainly to find a place with less people waiting for the bar), dancing, chatting to everyone who happened to be next to us and still had an ability to speak, exchanging phone numbers and facebooks promising that we going to remember each other the next morning.
I was told by one second year student that you actually never see again the people you met on the Mingle – I’ve no idea was he a pessimist or was I lucky - but I am in touch with quite a few of those people now and it does not seem that they going to disappear any time soon.
The Sunday was a little bit less crazy (at least definitely less drinking involved) as I met up with a few friends from Bellerbys who are now in their second and third years at UCL. But the start of the day was something I have to mention – I had an International meeting at 10:30 but decided that I will definitely not able to make it after the Mingle so decided not even to try and set up an alarm clock. What I did not take into the account was the delivery of my sofa (as I told you already I do not live in a hall of residence, so rent a flat with some furniture missing).
They rang on my door at 8 o’clock and woke me up completely as I had to ran downstairs to open a side door for them (at least the sofa was nice). After this it was pretty pointless to go back to bed so I decided that I may as well go to meeting. Eventually I found it to be fun and quite useful – I got the forms to register with the doctor and met a few cool French and German guys.
On Monday we all had the introductions to the department, degree and personal tutors. I felt extremely lucky with my tutor Dr Leak – not only he seems to be a nice person but he is also extremely passionate about biotechnology and is currently doing an exciting research on alternative sources of energy. What could be a better match for me?
Tuesday was the Fresher’s Fair. It was raining so the Union has to change the location of all the clubs around the campus which was pretty confusing at first but as there were plenty of people around ready to help or looking as lost as I was we quickly found our way to the societies we were interested in. I have joined the mailing lists of loads – many more that I would actually have a physical ability to attend. Just a few of those I remember are Choir, Dance, Debating, Cheese, Film, Russian (there aren't actually many Russians at Imperial which I am quite happy about as I can mix with more English-speakers but on the otherhand I did not want to get completely isolated from the Russian community), French (as I have already mentioned I learned French at school and continued to study it in Bellerbys but after a one year break communication is no longer easy for me so I am hoping to get some practice from those meetings and probably learn something new about the French culture and obviously meet people!), Film, Book etc.
On Tuesday night there was a party for Biochemistry Freshers organized by the Biochemistry society the head of which I had a chance to meet on the fair. Joey not only told me about the party but even sold his second-hand book to me which was great given the cost of the new one. The party was held in the Zoo club next to Piccadilly Circus. I really loved the place and the people I’ve met there even though most of them were not freshers and not even biochemists.
On Wednesday after a few more introduction lectures on timetables, course structure, examinations and coursework there was a free afternoon like in every London University especially designated to sports. I decided to go on the first meeting of one of the societies I joined on the fair – Gaelic Football and Hurling. Not surprised if you have never heard of it – personally I did not – which was actually the main reason I joined the club. I was told that everybody in the club is a beginner so I won’t feel like I am completely useless compared to others.
The people I‘ve met at the union that afternoon were really friendly and even gave me some uniform but the weather was just appalling - raining and windy and as the uniform was quite thin and short we could be all frozen to death unless we started moving straight away. That’s what we did and started running towards Hyde Park where the boys were already waiting for us with all the equipment.
After a quick explanation of the rules we started practicing and even though everyone was a beginner I was still completely useless as the only one who never played football or netball before. But guys and girls did not allowed me to feel miserable – everyone was very supportive and was explaining me the obvious (for them!) things like how to kick a ball correctly (yes, I am that useless, and that’s not funny! Well, actually, it is...)
Playing a match was real fun even though we were completely wet and we were constantly falling into the mud. But just imagine how happy I was when got home and had a hot shower! That night there was a disco at the Union and a sport night with free beer so everyone had a great time once again.
Too much partying for one week would you say? But that was just Wednesday and the culmination of the Fresher’s week – the Ball was still to take place.
