So, Freshers’ Week is over. Maybe you’ve just seen the city in daylight for the first time. Maybe you’re just about to begin the battle of cooking for yourself. Maybe you’re elbow deep in tissues and freshers’ flu, rapidly googling the best ways to cure a cough. Maybe it feels like the fun has ended. While daily classes and adjusting to the workload might feel very different from the last week you’ve just spent, it doesn’t mean that there’s no fun to still look forward to. From someone who just about survived the aftermath of Freshers’ Week, here is the post-Freshers’ Guide 101 to combat the Freshers’ blues and keep you happy, healthy and enjoying your time at uni.
1. Fighting homesickness.
We are all struck down by this at some point or other. Student accommodation, no matter how many fairy lights you put up, still doesn’t quite feel like home. For me, homesickness hit with cooking. Something about instant noodles for the fourth night in a row didn’t bring the comfort I thought it would. Instead, I spent the time daydreaming about Sunday roasts and missing home. My top tip is Facetime! The magic of our day allows us to connect with anyone at virtually any time we want to. So call your friends! Call your family! Let them know you’ve not been buried alive under piles of snotty freshers’ flu tissues. At this period of your life, the lines between independence and loneliness can often be grey; reach out to those who make you feel at home.
2. Making friends!
Even though the mad rush of Freshers’ Week is over, it doesn’t mean that connections stop being made. It might feel daunting at first to keep putting yourself out there, but I promise it is so worth it. If you’ve been thinking about joining a society, now is the perfect time. Edinburgh has anything you could dream of- from people who love to jump in the sea, to charity fundraisers, to hot chocolate society. The options are endless!
3.The boring stuff.
Finances, healthcare, schoolwork. All the things we hate to hear but are unfortunately a big part of university life. Sorting these things out early on can save so much pain later. One of my biggest tips is getting registered with your local GP in Edinburgh. Trust me, you will forever thank your past self if you ever need to pay a visit to the doctors.
4. And finally, look after yourself!
You’ve just taken a massive step! You’re living independently, going to school, making new friends. It’s overwhelming and that’s ok! If you need help, reach out! The university has so many great services wanting the best for you- student counselling, financial advice, careers advice! Plan some alone time. Anything you can do to process and de-stress from what is the most drastic change a lot of people have gone through in their lives so far. But most importantly, keep having fun!
Image from The Student