Things You Need For Fresher's Week

This September I will be entering into my third, and final, year of university, however the memories of fresher's week are still fresh in my mind, and I suspect will be for years to come. Eeek, nostalgia. If you are heading off to university this next academic year and you're not sure what to expect, look no further. I'm a veteran student who's gone through many a freshers (and refreshers) week.

Loz & I luvin' life in various different outfits during 'freshers fest'

Beside the usual essentials that you'll need for uni (which you can find here), you'll probably need a few extra bits and bobs if you are to survive your first few weeks. 

HANGOVER CURES - If you are someone that chooses to drink during freshers week, like the masses, you'll find yourself drinking many nights in a row. There's nothing worse than feeling ridiculously ill from the night before whilst getting ready for another night out. So be sure to pack whatever it is that usually makes you feel better, apparently pears can work miracles, I prefer a good old can of diet coke and binge watching netflix.

A GOOD WALLET/BAG - If you're going to be going on lots of nights out you need somewhere to put your stuff whilst you're out. I never venture out without my handy clutch bag and in fresher's I took a shoulder bag out with me every night. Something small that you can keep close to you is perfect, nothing too valuable. A cheap primark bag will do! Same goes for your wallet, make sure that the one you take out with you does the job but doesn't cost a fortune.

PARACETAMOL, COUGH SYRUP AND ORANGE JUICE - Fresher's flu is unavoidable during fresher's week I'm afraid. You just have to accept your fate, and go down like a hero. My mother sent me off to uni with 8 packs of paracetamol/ibuprofen and I used almost all of them (it wasn't just me.. I was like the pharmacy of my halls). Since there's not much you can do to avoid getting sick, you just have to make yourself not feel as bad. Pre-buying things like cough syrup mean you don't have to search for a pharmacy in your new alien city, and orange juice solves all illness problems.

My saviour

LOTS OF MINUTES ON YOUR PHONE - During my first week at university I spent lots of time in the early morning on the phone to friends from home. One night as I cowered over the toilet bowl, I cried down the phone to my friend who managed to convince me that dropping out before I'd even been to a lecture was not a good idea. I'm very thankful. Expect to phone home and phone friends more than you would regularly.

PROPS, COSTUMES, FACE PAINTS - Have a look at the themed nights that your university runs to get an idea of clothing or fancy dress that you might need. For example, if there's a neon night, make sure you pack some neon clothes and paints. Not everyone gets really into their costumes during these first few weeks, but it's fun - so why not! I found that there wasn't as much fancy dress as I thought there would be throughout the rest of the year, so I'm glad that I joined in during freshers.

MARKER PENS - You're likely to be given tons of random t-shirts for fresher's events, bar crawls, etc. all with 'witty' boxes to fill in such as 'please return me to..', and for this you'll need some pens to fill them in. Possibly not an essential, but I still have my tshirts with their original writings and they're quite hilarious to look back at.

ALL OF THE FOOD - After all that partying you're not going to want to be slaving over a cooker all day, or walking miles to the nearest supermarket (not having a car is so killer). So be sure to get your grocery shopping in when your parents drop you off, that way you might be able to get them to pay for it too! Pick up lots of quick and easy meals, especially if you're someone who's hardly cooked for them-self before.

Finally, if you want to be properly prepared for your manic week of partying, make sure you get as much sleep as possible in the weeks leading up to it! Enjoy and stay safe.