We asked Uni of York students for their best advice for incoming freshers

Happy A-Level Results day! If you’re a Uni of York 2024 fresher who just got accepted, welcome! It can be both scary and exciting to find out where you will be living and studying for the next few years, but don’t fret, it will be amazing!

We’ve asked current Uni of York students, over on our Instagram, to pass on some words of advice to incoming freshers. Let’s put it this way, they didn’t disappoint. So, get ready to learn (even before you’ve set foot in a lecture theatre) with these pearls of wisdom. Warning – I’d take some of these with a pinch of salt x

‘Don’t skip because you will never stop skipping’

Now I don’t think this applies to the exercise of skipping because frankly I would never discourage that in any way. Bring the art of skipping back.

However, skipping lectures can be a slippery slope and you soon realise that you’ve missed massive chunks of content that is overwhelming to catch up on. Try and go as much as you can, not only is it best for your studies but can also be great for your mental health to see friends and get out of your room.

Swap skipping lectures for skipping TO lectures.

‘Everyone takes their own time to be themselves at uni so take it slow and be yourself’

You’ll meet a lot of people very quickly when you move to uni. The only way you will find your type of people is if you be yourself as much as possible. This can be scary but if the people you meet in Freshers’ Week don’t gel with your personality, don’t worry, you will find people just as unique as you.

‘It’s ok to be nervous and to not go clubbing if it’s not your thing’

I would encourage everyone to try new things that they’re nervous about once, but if you find that clubbing and drinking is not your thing, that is absolutely fine! York is full of non-drinking students and people that would take a wholesome brunch over a night out any day. Don’t force yourself to do things you hate in order to socialise, find a new way to meet like minded people, such as joining a society!

‘Get involved in sports and societies as it’s a great way to make friends’

Joining societies is a given way to meet loads of new people and potential friends. Everyone who joins a society is open to lots of new friends, so go along to meetings, be friendly and approachable and they will love you! Societies can also be great for your mental health as it gives you another passion to fill your time with. Not to mention that The York Tab will be looking for new writers in September… we’re fun, I promise!

‘Everyone is as nervous as you’

This is the truest piece of advice ever as everyone is in the exact same boat. Everyone wants friends and everyone is nervous! My advice is to be friendly and say hello to lots of people. Most people are too scared to say hi but are so grateful that you have made the first move! Moving away from home and starting this adventure is so scary but so worth it, so keep going.

‘Try and hangout with course friends outside of lectures to build the friendship’

Making course friends can be daunting but just chat to people sat next to you in lectures and seminars and you will find some people you like. You all have one thing in common already, you picked the same course. Once you have some familiar faces in lectures, don’t be afraid to ask them for a coffee or a study date and a great friendship may grow. This can be a great way to make friends if your flatmates are not your sort of people.

‘Do not look the geese in the eyes’

The main thing you learn during your time in York is not academic, but is your place in the food chain. This is below the geese, as they truly do hold all the power. They are extremely intimidating and like to taunt students on the regular. This can be extremely funny to watch from afar, but you soon will be humbled when it is you running away from the tiny hissing beasts.

‘You may not make your best friends in Freshers’ Week, but you will eventually’

Although it is great to chat to lots of people in Freshers’ Week, most people don’t find their close friends immediately. This is so normal and you have three years to find your group, so don’t force anything that doesn’t feel natural.

‘Explore York as much as possible’

York is so beautiful, especially in autumn and in the run up to Christmas. Make the most of it by walking around the city and getting your bearings. Walking around the city can be a great way to find new food places or shops you like, and also saves you time and money.

‘Get as much free stuff at Freshers’ Fair as you can’

Freshers’ Fair has so many freebies from pens, to badges, to food, so make the most of it. It’s a really fun day out and a great chance to see the variety of things students get up to at uni. If you’re lucky you might even spot The York Tab there, so come and say hi!

The main thing to take away from all of this is that it is very normal to be nervous and you will find close friends eventually, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. These can be some of the best years of your life, throw yourself into the student culture and don’t get attacked by geese!

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