If you are new to university life and this is your first time experiencing 'Welcome', you may have only heard about all the club events from your course peers or flatmates. This might sound fantastic if you enjoy the party scene; however, it is not for everyone.
If you are someone who doesn’t particularly want to get involved in these types of events but still wants to socialise and enjoy your introduction to university life, we have put together a list of things you can get involved with during Welcome if you don’t like nightclubs…
1. Attend our Welcome fairs!
Our Welcome fairs are great places to meet other students, chat with sports clubs and societies, say hello to local businesses, grab a bite to eat, and maybe even pick up a few freebies!
They are always busy with so much to do and so many different people to chat to. Whether you come with your new roommates or alone, we are confident you will enjoy what our fairs offer!
2. Explore your new Ocean City and visit some popular spots in Plymouth.
Plymouth is the UK’s Ocean City, and the student community loves what it offers all year round! From stunning sea views to historic streets and top restaurants, Plymouth is a fantastic place!
Here are just a few spots in Plymouth that are easy to access, and we think every student should visit whilst living here. Find out more about places to visit in Plymouth here.
3. Go for lunch or a coffee with your new roommates.
There are some lovely places to go for a bite to eat or a coffee in the city!
We recommend visiting the Barbican: a beautiful old port with cobbled streets, narrow lanes, and hundreds of listed buildings. Aside from its rich and fascinating history, the Barbican offers a wide range of shops, galleries, cafes, and restaurants to discover.
So, whether you want to immerse yourself in Plymouth’s history or just want to find some great food and coffee spots with picturesque views: we are sure you will love the Barbican.
4. Browse Give It A Go events and activities and sign up for a few sessions.
Our Give It A Go programme offers students free and low-cost activities, events, and day trips in and around Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall. You can pick and choose which activities you would like to take part in and sign up to secure your place online.
From rock climbing to yoga, water sports to trips to IKEA, there is something for everyone and we would love to see as many students as possible giving these sessions a go! From the friends you make to the new hobbies formed, Give It A Go is perfect for new students who want to get involved with something social without going to club nights.
Browse Give It A Go events, activities, and trips here.
5. Explore volunteering opportunities.
Whether you have the time to commit to long-term volunteering or if you just fancy doing some one-off volunteering day trips, we provide a variety of opportunities within the SU and from partnerships with external organisations and charities in the local area.
Volunteering can be a great way to meet like-minded people and form friendships here at the University.
Browse all our opportunities on our website or get in touch with our volunteering team at the SU for a casual chat about what you might be interested in doing!
Explore volunteering opportunities here and make sure you come along to our Feel Good Do Good Fair too!
The Feel Good Do Good Fair is a chance for you to check in at the start of the academic year, find out more about what support services are available to you whilst you’re studying in Plymouth, and discover all the incredible volunteering opportunities that you can get involved with!
6. Join a student group.
Some student groups will have a stall at the Societies and Sports Fairs where you can meet the students who run the sports club or society and find out more about what it means to be a member, however, not every student group will be there with over 150 student groups to choose from!
You can browse all student groups on the SU website and sign up to become a member. Often these groups will host events and activities to welcome new members during or shortly after Welcome is over.
See all student groups here.
7. Sign up to be added to our new 2024 SU Buddy Group Scheme!
Signing up for the SU Buddy Group Scheme means you will have access to a student Teams chat where you can chat with like-minded peers as well as have access to a range of fun SU Buddy group activities at the SU or in Plymouth (arranged by SU staff). These events allow you to meet others who are new to university or are struggling to make friends, build an alliance, and provide the opportunity to socialise in an informal, welcoming environment.
Find out more and sign up to the Buddy Group Scheme, or discover other ways the SU Buddy Scheme can support you, here.
8. Organise a fun day out with new coursemates or roommates.
Plymouth has lots to offer the student community, from game cafes to crazy golf, axe throwing ro escape rooms; you don’t have to venture into a club to have fun in Plymouth!
Check out our top fun places to visit as a student in Plymouth: