So, it’s finally dawned on you that you’ll be moving out very soon. You will have your suitcases packed, brand new outfits to wear and maybe even shed a tear or two at the thought of leaving home. Yes it is a little scary and yes maybe at times it will be a little awkward but after fresher’s week you will look back and wonder what you spent time worrying about. You get to try weird and wonderful things like petting a tarantula and riding a mechanical bull. Flatmates will become more like family and remember to have the all-important first flat meal together. Sleep will feel like a long lost memory but you’ll have such an amazing time at the event the night before you won’t even mind. Dressing up in different costumes each night really breaks the ice, I remember dressing up as such things as a Red Indian and a panda.

Everything in Fresher’s week is really designed to push you to talk to new people and in all honesty it does push you out of your comfort zone sometimes. However, all of that is for the better because everyone is in the same boat and you soon settle into university life. Be sure to sign up to all the societies you want to because first year will probably be the most flexible year you have at university to test out different sports or clubs, who knows you may even find a hidden talent. Don’t miss out on all of the free stationary you get from fresher’s fair (I didn’t pay for a pen in a whole year!). I’m extremely jealous of everyone that gets to be a fresher this year, the team who have planned it have really pulled out all the stops. Remember, you’re only a fresher once so make the most of it!

Freshers week is great. Like really, really great- I promise.

Like any other student, you get to meet your flatmates, take advantage of all the fab activities and free food during the day, head out for all the big nights, and cope with all the mornings after. However, as a medic you also get dropped in at the deep end with introductions, 9am lectures, vaccinations, icebreakers and a lot of scary stuff like ‘expectations’ and ‘responsibilities’. Don’t let any of this worry you though, you’ll be a pro multitasker in no time!

Freshers, like uni, is a time to work things out for yourself; to make mistakes and learn how to fix them. Bearing that in mind, here are a few of my tips on surviving:

Go to lectures. You may be told they’re not important, but it’s a good exercise in making yourself get into uni and take notes when all you want to do is lie in bed all day. This feeling will never go away.

Go out and have fun! Whether it’s a club night or a big quiz, you only get one Freshers, and sleep is for the weak (not really- but that’s what Saturdays were made for!)

Eat. And I don’t mean pot noodles. Cook yourself pasta and curry and eat vegetables every now and then. You’ll feel so much better.

Make lots of friends, but not your BFFs. Later on, you’ll find the people that will hold your hand at the dentist and bring you Lemsip when you’re poorly. For now, you need people to eat lunch with.

Try new things. Go along to sports tasters and society meet ups. In Fresher’s week I went to the Rifle club BBQ for the free food. This Spring I won 3 national BUCS medals!

Call your family once a week or so (you’ll be having too much fun to call every day!) My mum always knows I’m ok by checking up on my Instagram.

For more information about Newcastle University’s Freshers’ Week go to: http://nusufreshers.co.uk/

Blog by Ella Cooper, Medical Student.