By Kirstie Kinnaird
Welcome, dear Freshers, to the most exhilarating, bewildering, and slightly terrifying event of your university life: the Freshers Fair! This is my third year of the Freshers Fair – and no I have not found a grey hair yet, thank you very much. Instead of looking lonely and lost going around Freshers for the past two years, I should have prepared myself for the mad rush of the Freshers Fair.
Living in Aberdeen all your life, you realise how to spot certain people, especially students, during Freshers Fair season. Students walking around the city centre carrying Domino’s bags is nothing new, though I find it generous how Domino’s is always there every year giving out pizza slices. They are always looking for delivery drivers, which makes me wonder if anyone applies or just goes for the pizza.
Since my first year, I was always told to attend Freshers to “live down the University experience”. However, Freshers is the same every year: the same stalls of societies and Domino’s handing out pizzas. And speaking of pizza, ahh, the freebies. The true currency of the Freshers Fair. As you enter the venue, prepare to channel for your inner scavenger. Your mission? Collect as many free pens, keychains, and questionable energy drinks as possible. Remember, the more useless items you gather, the more you can impress your friends and feel prepared and successful for university.
Before you even set foot in the fair, preparing yourself mentally is crucial. To get ready, practice your best “I’m absolutely interested” face in the mirror. You’ll need it when you’re concerned by an overly enthusiastic member of the Quidditch team who insists that you absolutely must join, even if you’ve never seen a broomstick in your life.
Choosing the right outfit is crucial. You want to strike a balance between looking effortlessly cool and being approachable enough for the random stranger who will inevitably try to convince you to join the most unthinkable society you would never expect. The other best thing about Freshers is the discounts. Isn’t it just a wonderful experience going into your favourite shop and learning about the 20% discount you get with your magic student ID card? For me it is, especially Hollister, so go out and go shopping as a week into your semester you will be staring at the same joggers and jumper you’ve worn for the past three days. Quick tip: Download UniDays for your discounts, as if you lose your student card you will have to pay more than a pot noodle and coffee for a new one.
Now comes the most daunting challenge: socialising. You’ll be thrust into a sea of strangers; all of whom seem to know exactly what they’re doing. Don’t panic! Just remember the golden rule: everyone is just as lost as you are. Strike up a conversation with fellow freshers by asking them about their favourite flavour of instant noodles. If all else fails, don’t worry, rewatching Gilmore Girls for the 10th time is totally normal instead of going out clubbing with strangers you just met in your course or flat.
Overall, congratulations! You’ve survived the Freshers Fair. Now, as you sit in your room surrounded by an avalanche of free merchandise, take a moment to reflect on your experience. You may have signed up for ten societies you’ll never attend, but at least you’ve made some unforgettable memories – like the time you accidentally joined a club you have no idea the meaning of but the good-looking free pen was just irresistible to leave behind.