Freshers Move-In

A new round of students have entered their university life at Warwick. The Boar got in touch with the latest members of the Warwick family to find out more about their first experiences in the bubble.

For Isaac Leigh, president of Warwick’s Students’ Union, it was a priority to show that “the SU is a friendly, welcoming and fun place”.

The SU’s program during the arrivals weekend and Freshers’ week, aimed to showcase the “incredible diversity and vibrancy of the activities” offered at Warwick.

Freshers could attend a variety of events from club nights at the Copper Rooms to societies and volunteering fairs.

First impressions count

In time for arrivals weekend, the construction works around the piazza were completed. Even a rare burst of British sun hit the new space between the Arts Centre and Rootes building, now called the Benefactors Piazza.

Having travelled to Warwick by car, train and plane, domestic and international students were confronted with campus.

The SU is a friendly, welcoming and fun place.
Isaac Leigh

The students’ first concern was moving into halls. This year, RAG offered a Freshers helper scheme to raise money for The Children’s society. In exchange for a donation to the charity, RAG helpers carried boxes and bags to help Freshers move in.

Personal assistance was especially appreciated; as Fresher Andrea found, it was “really easy to move in” thanks to many helpers; someone even carried all her stuff.

Hall Wars

For most new students, the choice of accommodation was fairly straightforward – James, a Fresher living in Jack Martin, fell in love with the hall after an open day visit.

Meanwhile Rootes Freshers told us the low price and social environment were key to the appeal.

Living up to these expectations, Rootes’ new inhabitants emphasised after only a few nights, that their hall is unpredictable, in a good way.

One Rootes student told us that the high inter-kitchen mobility is the basis for ‘infinite possibilities’ of nightly adventures.

Bluebell residents, in contrast, value the comforts of their hall, such as ensuite bathrooms.

Mara told us that “Bluebell is for really quiet people and Rootes for party people”, so she chose Jack Martin to get a good balance.

According to many Freshers, going out is the most important and often only social group-building activity of Warwick’s first year students.

Some Rootes Freshers found their pre-drink activities to be the best group experience they had in their first days at Warwick.

Andrea, of Old Rootes said: “We’re all pretty good drinkers, no one went to hospital, threw up or passed out so far.”

However, Kasia of Bluebell criticised Warwick’s circling tradition, which she said often resembled “a celebration of peer pressure”.

International Students

Some international students told the Boar that the UK can be a challenging as a new environment. However, they said being surrounded by others who shared that burden smoothened the settling-in.

As Darius from Lithuania said: “We’re all here for the same reason, so integration is easy”.

His flatmate Adrian from Romania especially valued that he lives with open-minded and co-operative students.

A standard first-year accommodation. Photo : Nathan Wong / Flickr

Home Comforts

To cope with the difficulties of life as a Fresher, sometimes it is the little things that make the difference.

English Literature and Creative writing student Valentina claimed the most useful thing she brought were “fluffy socks”.

Meanwhile concerns about the British weather led many students to tell us that the most useful thing brought from home was undoubtedly an umbrella.

For automotive engineer Jack, chopsticks were his essential, he said: “I haven’t used a knife and fork since I’ve been here”.

Yet, James from London crowned his Wilko’s saucepan set as his best buy because of its supreme versatility.

Independence

Just having started a life of sweet independence, some of Warwick’s new students admitted to a lack of motivation in the kitchen.

I haven’t used a knife and fork since I’ve been here.
Jack, a first-year

Sophie, living in Bluebell, said her worst meal was a dinner of chocolate.

On a more savory note, one Rootes student had “only had chicken so far”.

Perhaps, Warwick’s first years are yet to explore their potential as chefs. However, to help develop their culinary skills, all Freshers received a copy of Simple Scoff, Warwick’s 50th Anniversary cookbook which was put together with the help of Nigel Thrift’s wife.

The Parents

For new students, parents who overstay were apparently the biggest obstacle.

Bluebell resident Valentina tried to get rid of her parents quickly, she told us: “I was just like, please leave – I want to hang out with my friends.”

On the contrary, some parents are quick to accept their children’s independence; as one Rootes Fresher revealed she was simply dropped off in front of her new home.

Revealing a softer side, many Freshers seemed to feel uprooted from the comforts of home. Most named their mum as their most missed person. Girlfriends and best mates came in as close runners-up.

At the same time, Freshers have not forgotten about all their other attachments – Beatriz from Portugal confessed: “I miss my hamster.”