A guide to surviving Lancs Freshers’ Week as an introvert

It’s okay not to go to every single event

2 years ago

Hello first years – welcome to one of the most intense weeks of your life! Freshers’ Week is full-on and hectic: you’re thrown into living away from home for the first time with a bunch of people you have never met before, and on top of that, have a bonkers timetable full of activities.

You’ll probably be expecting to go out every night, to go to Freshers’ Fair, to meet loads of new friends… and that’s where the introverts start to panic, because it’s such an overwhelming prospect. Sometimes it’s easier to take a step back during Freshers’, so that you can look after yourself and feel refreshed, particularly if you’re more of an introvert!

There is no pressure to do anything

Your college has posted a timetable jam-packed with events on Instagram, and when you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a rep who will lead you to all of your events. Just remember that there is absolutely no pressure to go to any of the events. You can go and then leave early, or if it’s not your cup of tea, you don’t have to go at all. Whilst some might be good ways to meet people and make friends, others might just be a bit too much, particularly as the week goes on, and that’s absolutely fine!

Pace yourself

It is absolutely fine not to go out every night! The stereotype of Freshers’ Week is partying every day but if you want to have a movie night with your flat, that’s perfectly valid. Going for a walk can be really good for your mental health, and the Lancaster campus is just beautiful, and it’s a nice getaway when everything feels a bit much.

Find alternative activities that don’t involve large crowds

Almost all of the colleges have planned in events that don’t involve clubbing or drinking this year.

SoberSoc has an extensive timetable in collaboration with almost every college, and Take2Cinema are doing a screening for Grizedale students.

Fylde has events with the Living History Society and the Baking Society, and Furness has one with GreenLancaster. Even if your college hasn’t organised anything, the Vue cinema in town isn’t too expensive and is a really fun flat night out, and there are loads of lovely coffee shops in the city.

Make sure your room is a relaxing place to be

This will be the first week in the room you will live in for the next year, and if you tend to be more introverted, then you almost certainly will be spending a lot of time there. Don’t worry about what anyone else will think of your room, but make sure you are happy there.

Get plenty of sleep

It sounds daft, but if you don’t get enough sleep, then you’re going to find being in large groups of people harder as you’re just going to be grouchy. You’re thrown into group after group of new people in Freshers’ Week and it’s important to keep well and rested so that you can be the best version of yourself when meeting new people for the first time.

Find people who have similar interests and hobbies to you

Lots of societies have events happening during Freshers’ Week, and this is a bonafide way to meet people with the same interests as you. Even without these, just talking to people means that you can meet people who might want to do the same things as you, particularly if this isn’t some of the big nights out.

Prioritise yourself

Freshers’ Week isn’t for everyone. It’s long and messy and absolutely exhausting in the best and worst ways. If you need to take a step back and look after yourself, then that’s perfectly normal and way more healthy than forcing yourself into situations where you’e uncomfortable.

The Lancaster Tab is looking for new writers for the upcoming academic year! You can find everything you need to know here! We hope to see you at our open meeting on October 11th, 7pm, at County Bar.