We asked students what it’s really like being a fresher on campus during Covid

Now halfway through the term, it’s clear that any attempts to replicate a normal Freshers’ Week and first year have been murdered by the crushing realities of online learning and yet another lockdown. With lectures online and POP! only returning for the briefest of stints, this cohort of fresh aren’t enjoying the typical Warwick experience. Yet, as freshers, they’ve got to be creative, and they definitely have.

We asked freshers this year what they thought about their social lives, and here’s what they had to say about the 2020 Warwick freshers’ experience.

Buying a flat strobe light to create your own ‘clubs’

After a few rounds you won’t be able to tell the difference in scenery anyway

When Kasbah regrettably closes at 10pm, all you have to do is stumble back to your flat, get out the bottle of Lambrini you keep handy and plug the light in.

“The issue with the 10pm rule for pubs and clubs is that I have to start drinking at 4pm to be drunk enough for 6pm Kasbah. I’m becoming a little bit addicted.” – Margrét, Rootes, GSD and PAIS

Now in lockdown again, here’s hoping those strobe lights actually work.

Running around for motives on campus

Forget the gym, staying fit is easy when all you’re doing is walking to and from motives across campus, just for them to be shut down in 20 minutes.

Students told us that flat parties are now the most important socialising hotspots on campus (all socially distanced, of course), but it seems that even the threat of a fine won’t stop freshers from emulating the proper fresher experience. #StaySafeWarwick.

“The parties have been kinda fun, but they always get shut down within half an hour.” – Alice, Rootes, Law

“I’ve done like 25,000 steps a night just from walking around, it’s been fun but absolutely exhausting” – Tom, Lakeside, GSD

Procrastinating your time away

We all know concentrating on lectures in your room is impossible – so why not walk to the Learning Grid in your pjs to get through all 5000 hours of them on 2x speed. Time management, especially with so much learning online, has completely gone out the window.

There’s still no space in the learning grid

Many students have said that they are struggling to keep up with all the different platforms for online learning, and it can be overwhelming for students who find it difficult to participate in seminars online.

“I’m constantly working, I cannot keep up at all.” – Katie, Sherbourne, Business Management

“I feel awkward speaking in online seminars because I know no-one from my course, and I’m way too distracted to actually concentrate on online learning.” – Lucy, Rootes, Chemistry

Organising your own circling

Having a sociable flat is vital this year as you’ll be spending most of your time with them, considering that they’re your ‘bubble’.

Hygiene might be a priority in a pandemic, but hall kitchens will never get cleaner

As a solution to the lack of in-person society events, a flat in Rootes C Block told us they set up their own circling, with their own homemade purple – true Warwick innovation at its finest.

“Circling is a good substitute for sure, but I don’t know the rules so…”- Ben, Rootes, PPL

Self-isolation induced flatcest is rife

Not quite the Smack wall, but it’ll do

Despite the threat of coronavirus, the hook-up culture is still as widespread as ever, and the walk-of-shame across the corridor is still just as embarrassing.

“As a flat, you see each other everyday, and trust me the flatcest is rife. I’ve even got my eye on a spicy Norwegian, she just doesn’t know it yet.” – Jacob, Rootes, Liberal Arts

“Now with lockdown, there’s nothing else to do.” – Emily, Bluebell, Economics

There is at least one silver lining from all this, no more sharking.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• The complete, no-nonsense guide to self-isolation for Warwick students

• I went to the one-hit wonder, Covid-friendly POP! and this is what you missed

• Your three-step guide to reducing your carbon footprint on campus right now