Drinking to societies: All your burning questions about Lincoln Freshers’ answered

Being a fresher has its ups and downs. Constant partying, a new group of friends and sweet independence are some of the best things a first year can look forward to. But we know that there are also some uncertainties when you leave home and start to experience a new life.

These are the most commonly asked questions about moving to Lincoln and studying at the university:

Is first year easy? 

In terms of the workload, it’s easy enough and if you keep up to date with when your exams are you should be okay. Your lectures can seem like a lot of effort, especially if you have early mornings after a late night but try to turn up. The lecturers will usually tell you how to do the assessments for the most part so you won’t be panicking at the last minute.

The hardest part for many is having to learn new skills like cleaning, cooking, money management and time management. They might seem simple enough but when you go out every day with your new friends, you’ll have to balance these things and stay on top of finances and studies.

Is it bad that I’m not in any group chats for my course or accommodation?

Group chats are useful and nice to be in as it gives you a head start on getting to know people before you meet them for real. During semesters you’ll use them for talking about work, catching up on missed lectures or getting the attendance code if you’re late.

For accommodation chats you’ll end up making your own ones when you move in as you get to know who you’re living with so don’t worry if you aren’t in one yet. Try to look on social media for groups that already exist or make your own one as there’s probably people in a similar position to you.

Where’s the best place to do work in Lincoln? 

The university library is the go-to place to study for many students as it’s got all the resources you need including computers, books, a printer and plenty of space. It’s split across three floors with the third floor being a designated silent study area.

If the library isn’t for you then every university building has quiet places to work inside. Coffee shops are also often used to study in with Caffé Nero, 200 Degrees and Costa being the go to spots to have a coffee and get some work done.

What do I do if I don’t like my flatmates? 

There’s always a chance you won’t get on with them but most of the accommodations are big enough that you’ll find your special group of friends. You’ll have your course buddies once the semester starts and people you meet through societies and nights out as well.

Try to make your friends within the first few days cause then you’ll be in the same position as everyone else trying to get used to everything new going on.

How does the teaching differ at uni?

University lecturers are basically there to tell you the needed information and then move on. They will rarely shout or punish you and most of the time it’s just note taking. Smaller groups of teaching are where you start to see lecturers are more like friends than teachers. Also, you’ll be seen as an adult and are free to speak to them like one by using first names and having general chit chat.

You always work towards deadlines at university, so you’ll know your exact assessments at the start of a semester so hopefully nothing will be a major surprise. Obviously, this isn’t always the case so definitely check.

I don’t like drinking so how would that affect my time? 

You don’t have to be drunk to have a good time. In fact, 27 per cent of 16-24 year olds don’t drink alcohol according to a survey by The Guardian.

For many people it could be their first time drinking. You might end up enjoying it but don’t feel pressured into doing it if you don’t want to. And it’s always good to have a sober friend to make sure everyone comes back in one piece. Plus, it’ll make your first year much cheaper and you’ll actually remember most of it.

Is first year just the stereotypical partying, drinking and crazy experiences people claim it to be? 

To put it simply- yes. But that does depend on who you are and who you’re with. Many people already live that kind of lifestyle at 17/18 but only do it on Fridays and Saturdays. The appeal of university is you can do it every single day and it’s seen as normal. Your aim should be to have the craziest story out of all your friends.

First year should be one of the most hectic and unforgettable years of your life so you need to do everything in your control to make sure it’s exactly that. And yes, the infamous flatcest is really a thing so beware of those flirty flatmates and the awkward one-on-ones that occur after the deed has been done.

Should I take my car to Lincoln?

You don’t really need a car in Lincoln as everything’s quite close to each other as it’s all in the city. Whatever you need is usually within walking distance. There’s also a train and bus station next to the high street for any longer journeys.

A car would be useful for things like beach trips, big shops and fun flat days out but again you can do all of this without needing a car.

Also, check with your housing company as there’s sometimes a fee for parking at your accommodation which they’ll surprise you with on your first day.

What do I do about the doctors?

You need to register with a GP in Lincoln just in case you ever need to see a doctor during your stay. The best one is probably the University Health Centre which is on campus as they have people who are specifically skilled in looking after students and student-based issues.

You can register through the University of Lincoln Health Centre website. You can register with any GP you like, however.

My student loan only just covers my accommodation what do I do?

This is an issue a lot of students face and in first year you want to have spare money to spend on going out and doing fun things.

Some people make a list of things they can spend money on like in the photo below.

 

Have a look on the University of Lincoln website to see if you could get a bursary as that will help. If needed, try to get an overdraft for those occasions when you need a little extra money as you don’t want to miss out but remember you need to pay this back. Santander do good student bank accounts with generous overdrafts included.

Are societies any good?

They’re great if you want to meet likeminded people and are a fan of whatever the society is.

Trust me there are hundreds of options not just the basic ones you’d expect, maybe try out: kinball, korfball, trampolining, esports, harry potter society, match of the day society, Swift society, Uni boob team or any others. To find a full list of societies go to the Lincoln Students Union website.

Many societies go out together to drink or do activities so these people can become close friends. Some come at a cost, but most are affordable and will be worth it for the people you meet and the good times you have.

I feel like I’m going to have so much free time on my hands, what do you do with it all? 

Many students answer to this would be sleep to be honest. Whether you’re hungover, had an early lecture or just enjoy a nap, students love to sleep. But societies can take up a lot of your time as can hanging out with flatmates.

You shouldn’t get bored for a while as you’re in a new place so explore the city and try out as many new things as you can.

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