One step at a time: An introvert’s guide to Freshers’ Week

Fresher’s Week: fun-filled, exciting, and full of activities, whether it’s clubbing, art, or films. Inductions, pub crawls, and a plethora of other invigorating activities await. At the crux of it, an ability, a need, to juggle about fifty social events and meet dozens of new people to find your way into friend groups before the window closes. To someone outgoing and extroverted, this is amazing. To an introvert, this is a horrifying ordeal.  

If you’re an introvert – and someone who has an aversion to huge crowds and humongous social gatherings – don’t worry. I was, and continue to be, in the same boat, and so I present to you a guide on how to traverse through the socially tedious time that is Freshers Week. 

Tip one: make friends with your flatmates 

Your flatmates will be one of the first people you meet, probably. Throughout the year, you’ll be sharing a kitchen, or even bathrooms, depending on your accommodation, so having a good rapport is always important. During Freshers’ Week, when everything is, dare I say, fresh, it’s usually a good idea to chat with some like-minded flatmates and decide on some activities you can do together.  

There’s a fair chance that you might not be a fan of clubbing – in which case, watching films or attending a society meet-up together would be a good idea. Among your seven or more flatmates, there will be someone who also enjoys non-clubbing activities! 

Tip two: avoid overexerting yourself 

I was one of the people who signed up for hundreds of events, and needless to say, it was terrifying. After having a particularly socially exhausting Fresher’s Wednesday, I had to take the whole of Thursday just to relax. Social fatigue can build up gradually throughout the week, so prioritise taking breaks and going to activities that actually sound fun! 

Your course-mates may also make a group chat during the flurry that is Freshers’ Week, so if you can see any activity that sounds exciting, take part

As a movie buff, for example, I would always be ready to go to a film screening at the Student Cinema. Arts and crafts socials were also exciting, as they were activity-driven and reduced any room for awkward silences. Clubbing, however, was not my cup of tea, so I had to decide to forgo it for the foreseeable future – and no, that hasn’t at all compromised my social life.  

Tip three: attend course-related mixers 

There is a good chance your department will organise a mixer, a pizza party, or some other type of get-together among your course’s cohort. This would be an ideal place to discover like-minded people. In my experience, I was able to find a variety of people with diverse interests without trying particularly hard. This was through paying attention to different conversations and joining in when they sounded exciting to me. This could be sports, video games, film, music, or even the weather! If people around you are discussing something and you want to pitch in, go ahead. More often than not, it will be a risk worth taking 
Seminar-related discussions are also likely to come up, so if you meet anyone who is also going to John Doe’s 9 a.m. on Mondays, try teaming up! Your course-mates may also make a group chat during the flurry that is Freshers’ Week, so if you can see any activity that sounds exciting, take part.

Tip four: try different types of societies 

A society or sports club can help you find a solid set of friends with similar interests, and during Freshers’ Week, many clubs and societies will host a variety of sessions for you to try out. A way to figure out your ideal societies is to go to the different events they offer and not just restrict yourself to a single society or one type of society.  

While taking the initiative to be more social or going out of your comfort zone is commendable, overdoing it and compromising your personality can drain your social battery

For example, rather than only seeking out academic societies or relevant sports clubs, look at societies related to any hobbies you might have or activities you find fun. Personally, I had my eyes set specifically on academic societies, but I ended up enjoying hobby-related societies in the end. Good friendships are often found in unexpected places, so cast a wide net! 

Tip five: authenticity is key 

I know hearing “be yourself!” sounds like endlessly clichéd guidance, but for Freshers’ Week, it might be the advice that helps you the most. I find it exhausting when I pretend to be someone I’m not – whether it’s pretending to be more social, or saying I enjoy activities that I really, truly don’t. For introverts, it can seem that the only way to make new friends is to act like we’re more social, or more outgoing, or more extroverted. While taking the initiative to be more social or going out of your comfort zone is commendable, overdoing it and compromising your personality can drain your social battery.  

Faking it can cause more social fatigue because going out of your way to act like someone you are not is inherently taxing. When the chance comes, share your opinions honestly and don’t go clubbing six nights in a row when you’d rather read a cosy book in your room.  

These five tips aren’t the answer to every element of Freshers’ Week. Growing up is mainly about making it up as you go along. Still, I hope these tried and tested methods help you, my fellow introvert, make the most out of Fresher’s Week and your journey ahead!