How To SU: Freshers' Survival Guide
Whether you're a new or returning student, we want you to get the most out of Freshers' Week. From the 18th-25th September, we've got daytime and evening events lined up to kickstart your academic year! Here are some tips to help you get the most out of Welcome Week at Wrexham University!
Be open to meeting new people
Whether you're moving into student accommodation or not, Freshers' Week is a great time to find your people. There's plenty of ways this can happen aside from just your flatmates! You can get to know your coursemates, get involved in a sports club or society, and attend our Freshers' events happening all week. There's something for everyone, and all of our daytime events are free! If you plan to attend our evening events, then buying a Freshers' wristband will save you 50% off on-the-door prices throughout the week. A wristband is just £25, and that waives entry prices for 6 evening events that have a fee to enter. Plus, because we're a charity, any money spent at your Students' Union goes straight back into the student experience - win-win!
£££s worth of prizes to be won!
Across the entire week of events, there are opportunities to win some great prizes. You've got to be in it to win it, though, so getting involved in as much as you can (without burning yourself out!) gives you the best chances.
Make or join a WhatsApp group!
For example, you could have a flat/house group chat which helps keep you all in the loop and can be a great icebreaker. It also means making connections isn't left to having to bump into people - you could leave a note in your flat kitchen inviting people to join your group chat, or leave your name and number. Sometimes, digital introductions can be easier to manage than face-to-face ones, especially in the rush of Freshers' Week!
Attend Freshers' Fair on the 24th September
Freshers' Fair is your time to grab some freebies, find out about SU and Wrexham University services available to you, and meet other local organisations. It's from 11am-3pm in the Sports Centre on the Plas Coch campus, and it's not to be missed! There's also a quiet hour for those who would benefit from a calmer Freshers' Fair atmosphere. The quiet hour is from 10-11am which must be booked in advance, and the University's Inclusion team will be on hand for any support needs.
Beware of student scams and Freshers' Fraud
Unfortunately, scammers will often target students in the hope that you’re not familiar enough with certain processes to recognise whether or not they're legit. Beware of social media accounts offering work with pay rates that are too good to be true, those appearing to rent out student rooms and those asking you to join dodgy WhatsApp groups.
Always do your due diligence, and remember, Wrexham Students’ Union is the only place to get information about genuine Freshers’ events for Wrexham University students, and the only place to purchase a wristband online is through our website.
Don’t forget our daytime events!
Freshers’ Week isn’t all about evening events, and if you’re looking for something a little calmer, we’ve got daytime events every single day during the week, all offering something different! Check out our full list of events here.
Follow us on social media
We regularly post what's happening across our social media channels. We're on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @wrexhamsu. Glyn's Bar & Lounge, our events space, has its own Facebook and Instagram channels which you can find @glynswxm.
If you’re drinking, drink safely
Student nights are so much fun, and pacing yourself and staying in control means you’ll actually remember them!
You'll thank yourself later by eating something before consuming alcohol to reduce the risk of its adverse affects, including feeling unwell the next day. Alcohol on an empty stomach is metabolised much quicker, with stronger effects putting you at greater risk.
If you’re taking any medication, make sure to read the label for advice about mixing it with alcohol.
Last but not least, whether you’re drinking alcohol or not, never leave your drink unattended. If you need to go to the toilet, go outside or go anywhere that means leaving your drink, make sure you get someone reliable and trusted to watch it for you. If you’re ever in doubt, don’t drink it. Even if it was a full glass, the cost of buying another drink is a minor consequence in comparison drinking something that has been tampered with without your knowledge.
Stick together
Freshers’ Week is better when you’ve got each other’s backs, and making sure you go out together and come home together is a really important part of this. Share your location if you can with a friend - also handy if you end up losing your phone and need to relocate it. If someone isn’t feeling great, even if it seems self-inflicted from alcohol, make sure you don’t leave them on their own under any circumstances.
Written by Lauren Hole, Communications & Engagement Coordinator
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