We went to Freshers’ Fest as second years: Here’s what we learned

We didn’t just go for the freebies, I promise

2 years ago

Yesterday was LUSU‘s Freshers’ Fest, a full-day affair in the Sports Centre where almost all of the societies on campus have a stall and six hours to convince you to join them. It’s busy, loud, and chaotic and for me, in first year, it was completely and utterly overwhelming, to the point that I can barely remember any of it.

So, along with some friends, we decided to go back as second years, ostensibly to join some new societies (no, it was not for the freebies), but also to appreciate the madness now that we are a little bit older, wiser and not as terrified of accidentally joining the Underwater Hockey team. What we didn’t expect, however, was to learn some interesting facts about the Freshers’ Fair.

The queue to get in will emotionally drain you before you enter

Hi, new freshers! What’s even more fun than going to see the amazing petting zoo, food trucks and loads of societies that want you to join? Queuing for 55 minutes to get in first.

To be fair, it wasn’t all that bad, the line did move fairly fast, and it was the one dry day in a very wet week, but it wasn’t the most fun experience of my life.

You don’t have to worry about getting an orange Dig In Box

If you’ve been to a Freshers’ Fair before, you know the myth and the legend that is these boxes. They’re rammed full of freebies, and this year was no exception. The issue was, with the huge queue, we weren’t certain that we were going to be able to get one.

Fear not though, for there were huge stacks that they were keeping back, and just kept bringing more and more out. It was something of a sight to behold. (For those interested, this year’s contained a Pot Noodle, Starbucks Iced Coffee, hair masks, and Reeses Pieces)

The range of things given out is wide

The majority of stalls give out sweets or cakes, but just occasionally, you get a real winner. Our personal favourite was Greens, who were giving out free shot vouchers by the handful, which to a broke student is a real treat.

The other non-food options included the Catholic Society, with copies of Matthew’s Gospel, the Duke’s Theatre and Cinema, who had free cinema tickets if you signed up for their student membership, and LUSU, with some very cute duck badges.

Some of the flyering techniques are interesting

I am all for attracting your new members in an unconventional way, and the two biggest supporters of this year were the Speleological Society (Caving) and the Living History Society. The latter had demonstrations where you could try jousting and sword fighting out by the queue, and a huge crowd around them. The former were wandering around the fair in full caving gear asking if you had ever wanted to go into a cave before, which was slightly startling but very intriguing, I’ll give them that.

You can get thrown into the air by cheerleaders if you so wish

There were all sorts of things that you could have a go at in the second hall, including cheerleading, where you could either have a go at throwing someone in the air, or be thrown in the air, both of which take a lot of braver. None of us were personally brave enough, but everyone who was looked like they were having a great time, and if it got them new members then all credit to them.

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