Freshers week, also known as welcome week, is practised by universities worldwide as an opportunity for students to be introduced to their university, meet their housemates and navigate their way around some of the local area.
Freshers week at Oxford University is celebrated the week before the term begins and is designed to ease the students into university life.
This is achieved by combining fun activities, with tours of the Oxford University Colleges, of which there are over 30 spread across the City centre and beyond, giving the students peace of mind before they begin their studies.
Freshers week is a great opportunity to meet neighbouring students that are studying other courses, but also to connect with any of Oxford Universities clubs and societies.
There are over 200 that are available for you to join, meaning you can connect with other students across the university with similar interests and hobbies as you.
In summary, Freshers week is a great opportunity for you to invest in the social aspect of university, alongside the academic side.
There are a few key things that usually happen during Freshers week, so we have listed them below to make it quick and easy to digest.
Registration:
Oxford University requires you to register before arrival to your College, ready for enrolment in your studies.
Students need to log in to Students Self-Service to complete registration.
When you first arrive you are required to check in, confirm your attendance and to receive your Oxford University card along with all the necessary information relating to your time at the university.
ID may be required for this step so it's best to double-check before arrival.
Matriculation:
This is the ceremony that marks the formal admission of a student to Oxford University and takes place on the Saturday of week 1 of the Michaelmas term.
This is a compulsory event, and your college or department will advise you on any further information regarding when your matriculation will be and any other questions you may have.
A student will be required to wear sub fusc for matriculation.
This is the clothing that is to be worn underneath an academic gown for matriculation, your degree ceremony, and will also be worn when sitting exams in the future.
Welcome talks:
These are wonderful opportunities for the university to make you feel at home and welcomed.
They enable you to connect with other students that will be on the same course as you, but also to meet your lecturers.
There will usually be welcome talks from representatives of your course and head of department so that you know what will be expected of you as you begin your studies.
College tours:
The iconic university buildings are spread around the city of Oxford, so it's really important to know exactly where everything is, to avoid any stress as you begin your studies.
College tours will often be led by students who know the ropes, or a member of staff.
An audio guide of the city is also available through Know Your Oxford and is a useful tool with lots of additional information given first hand by a student, to assist you during your time at Oxford University.
Library tours:
The Bodleian Libraries are a group of 26 libraries that serve the University of Oxford.
It is the largest university library system in the United Kingdom. Each college at Oxford has its own library but the main Bodleian Library, an iconic English gothic architectural building, is the main research library.
Libraries are invaluable to you as a student, serving you as a quiet place to study, meet other students, collaborate on work, research online, print off work or find books that are relevant to your course.
A tour of the library to find out where everything is, will alleviate the stress as your assignment dates loom in the future.
Attending Freshers Fairs;
These are really beneficial for making new connections between like minded people and new friends.
There are many stalls promoting different societies and interests for you to join or sign up to, or perhaps there may be a gap where you wish to create your own new society!
There will often be organisations outside of Oxford University, who want to promote their services, or even encourage you to join them during your studies, or perhaps after you graduate.
These offer a great opportunity to engage with services that you are interested in, or for experience that will reflect well on your CV in the future!
Finally, Freshers week is about having fun and creating new connections to cement you into university life for the next few years.
There are many social activities for you to join in throughout the week, either with students who will be on your course, or with any of the societies you have joined.
There are many evening events available to attend around Oxford City and the local clubs and pubs will promote events for Freshers week.
Here are a few additional quick fire tips to consider on Freshers week:
- Register for your local doctor's surgery- just in case you should need it; or the majority of students opt to register with their college doctor for convenience.
- Research your local supermarket or preferred place to shop.
- Make a weekly budget and try to stick to it! You will soon find money evaporating from your account as you realise that you need to factor in food, books, resources, travel costs and any additional fun! It's easy to be lavish when your student loan comes in, but it's worth budgeting sensibly to avoid further debt when you have completed your course.
- Register to vote - it may seem over the top, but elections can crop up fairly suddenly and it will save you unnecessary travel expenses back to your hometown if one comes up.
- Find out where to get support for your physical and emotional well-being. Life can throw all sorts of curve balls, but also the stresses of deadlines can be overwhelming, so it's helpful to know where to access support or counselling when needed. There is a range of services available to support you during your studies at Oxford.
- Make your living space homely and comfortable - it's worth adding in these extras to ensure your time in your accommodation is pleasurable and a relaxing space for you to unwind each day.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions- staff at Oxford University are available for any queries you have to alleviate any stress. It may be your first time living away from home and naturally, this may result in various anxieties, but it is important to voice these. The ultimate goal of your lecturers is for you to succeed not only academically, but in self-confidence and happiness too, so never be afraid to ask questions.