The harsh realities of being a Fresher at Liverpool university

An iconic experience for all uni students; Freshers’ Week. A week which doesn’t actually feel like a week, but rather one prolonged day with 10 hours of sleep and a diet of alcohol, cigs and one meal a day. Tough.

Realistically the beginning of university is never perfect; you’re suddenly a year 7 again in a completely new city, and the year 11’s are moody second and third years now that their first year is just a memory. Awh, unlucky.

Once you have unpacked and introduced yourself to your flatmates comes the first wave of Freshers’ reality; remembering everyone’s names. This is much harder than it seems. After 15 people telling you their name and there’s already three Emilys, two Jakes and an array of Lilys and Millys, you really are going to struggle.

Even better than this is waking up in the morning with seven new names on your Snapchat and the following awkward eye contact in your accommodation with someone you overshared to the night before. A Freshers’ Week classic.

Awkward interactions aside, being a Liverpool uni Fresher is most definitely the best Fresher you could be. Absolutely bashing Elektrik and Level as well as being in awe of Concert Square and the choice it has is simply surreal. But don’t forget the pressure of the Freshers’ Week wristband; apparently if you don’t have one you actually might die. Some Freshers take this very seriously. But please don’t become a wristband warrior, tickets do still exist I promise.

After all the awkward pres and neverending rounds of ring of fire where you’ve necked a concoction of Stella, vodka and rum, comes the inhumane illness that you’ll awake with. Some like to call it ‘Freshers’ Flu’, but it’s really just waking up with a blocked nose, tight chest, and a severe sore throat from belting out Mr Brightside the night before.

Unfortunately, this illness never actually leaves, the echoes of coughs still haunt your corridors and kitchens way after Freshers’, and don’t get me started on the first week of lectures. You either are the ill flatmate, or you look after them. No inbetween.

And after all the introducing, socialising and seshing- you will suddenly realise how utterly drained you are. Make sure you don’t overdo it, but also remember the regrets you may experience are temporary. Life goes on in the pool.

By around day five the sudden realisation may also strike you; you’re actually here to study and attend lectures in the next week whilst you still have no concept of what time, day or month it is. Don’t worry though, Freshers’ Week is just the beginning and let me assure you the best times haven’t even arrived yet.

But anyways, congratulations for making it through!

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• All the weird and wonderful things about living in Smithdown 
• Freshers’: Here’s what Liverpool university halls you REALLY belong in
• Things you’ll relate to if you’ve ever lived in Greenbank