Freshers, here are seven things you absolutely don’t need to worry about yet

There’s always a bit of a crash after Freshers’ Week is officially over. Your very first lectures begin, your inbox is full of emails from the careers department, and word on the street is that the flat next door is already looking for second year houses.

Though it all sounds very serious, take it from me and my lived experience – everything will work out just fine. Though for those of us who are still stressed, we’ve made a list just for you of seven things you absolutely do not need to worry about yet.

1. Perfecting your budgeting skills

Being sent out into the world can throw a lot of people off, and it can especially throw off your bank account. Though York prices aren’t quite the same as London prices (thank God), I’d be lying to you if I said York is one of the more affordable cities.

Take it from me – a third year – when I say it can take a while to really get your head around things and how quickly it can sometimes add up. In fact, even after two years of getting used to it, I’m still trying to figure out how I can squeeze my Black Sheep matchas into the weekly budget I’ve set for myself (and almost always go over).

2. Second year housing

I know, I know – trust me I’ve heard it all, from, “we need to get a house before all the good ones are gone”, to, “my friend’s sister told her she needs to start looking for houses right after Freshers’ Week.”

Looking for houses for second year has created a subtype of FOMO that I can only describe as panicked pandemonium. The bad news is, yes, it’s generally recommended to lock in to house-hunting before the New Year, but the good news is, it’s only October!

The most important thing is to give yourself time to get to know the people you’d like to live with. There’s nothing worse than the second year curse…

3. Getting a first

The jump from prior education to university is one that not many are prepared for – and that’s okay!

Luckily, first year is your year-long trial to make mistakes and adapt to a learning style that may be totally different to what you’re used to. This doesn’t mean ‘first year doesn’t count’ (contrary to popular belief) – it means you have tons of opportunities to mess it up then get it right without having to worry about falling behind.

4. Finding your people

You might have heard first year being described as the time when you “find your people.” I certainly know that I went into uni thinking I’d have a tight-knit group by the end of Freshers’ Week, but more often that not, that’s the rarest case. First year is chock-a-block-full of opportunities to meet new people – from societies and sports socials to formals and group projects – and you don’t need to know who your future Maid of Honour or Best Man will be by October.

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Finding your people is a life-long journey, and the pressure you may feel of having to find your best friends in first year is based on a common misconception.

The old dating saying, “It’ll come when you least expect it,” applies to friendships to – in fact, some of my favourite memories are those with someone I only met halfway through second year.

5. Having THE uni experience

TikTok seems to know when someone’s going to uni. Right before you move in to your first year accommodation, it’ll show you someone else’s compilation of their uni experience (usually with a Taylor Swift or Fleetwood Mac song in the background). You might think it looks perfect, fun and free, but more often than not, it doesn’t show the natural ebbs and flows of life – feeling homesick, stressed about your Winter exams, not wanting to get out of bed some days.

Sure, uni is fun! But life doesn’t stop, and it’s perfectly normal to have days where you feel lonely or behind, and all you want is to go home to your Mum and dog (I’ve caved a couple of times).

The uni experience is YOUR uni experience – everyone has a completely different adventure, and you don’t need to go out clubbing four times a week to prove you’re having a good time. Make your time at uni YOURS, and I promise, you’ll thank me in the future.

6. Having a perfect routine

The running theme here is that uni will be different to anything you’ve experienced before. You don’t know when you will or won’t be tired, and when you first start, you never know what the next day will bring (and that’s exciting). On some days, you might wake up early enough for breakfast, and on others, you might simply roll out of bed and into your shoes twenty minutes before your lecture starts – and that’s okay!

In a world where TikTok and Instagram promote a “perfect” lifestyle, it’s very common to feel you’re doing things wrong, but give yourself grace for still figuring it out.

7. What you want to do after uni

I’m sure many second and third years can relate when I say going home for Christmas typically means being asked ‘So, what are your plans for after uni?’ by every member of your extended family.

Though it’s often a question posed harmlessly during small-talk, it’s not out of the ordinary for you to stop and think “Wait… what ARE my plans after uni?” You might think everyone else has a figured out, but I can promise you, most people don’t – and that’s totally normal. First year is your opportunity to figure out what you like and don’t like, find new hobbies and passions and try all sorts of new things. You’re growing as a person, so let that growth excite you rather than scare you!

So, here’s my prescription: recover from Freshers’ Flu, cut yourself some slack and HAVE FUN! You’re just getting started.