If you are new to university life and this is your first time experiencing Freshers', 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 the fun of Freshers, we have put together a list of things you can get involved with during Freshers if you don’t like nightclubs…
1. Attend our Freshers Fairs.
Our Freshers Fairs are great places to meet other students, chat to 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 people to chat to. Whether you come along with your new roommates or alone, we are confident you will enjoy what our Freshers Fairs have to offer the student community!
2. Say hi to one of our Freshers Welcome Buddies.
These volunteers will be friendly faces on campus whom you can say hello to or ask for any help on where to find buildings on campus or perhaps the best places to get some lunch.
3. 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 to be. Here are just a few of the different places 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.
4. 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 from Jacobean and Tudor times. Aside from its rich and fascinating history, the Barbican offers a wide range of shops, galleries, pubs, and cafes, as well as a mix of Italian, Greek, Turkish, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Himalayan, Mexican and British 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.
5. Browse Give It A Go events and activities and sign up to 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 you place online.
From rock climbing to yoga, water sports at Mount Batten to trips to the Eden Project, 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.
6. Explore volunteering opportunities.
Whether you know that you will want and 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 both within the SU and University and from our partnerships from external organisations and charities in the local area. Volunteering can be a great way to meet like-minded people and form friendships. 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 opportunties here.
7. Join a student group.
Some student groups will have a stall at the Freshers Fair 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 around 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 Freshers week.
See all student groups here.
8. Organise a fun day out with new course mates or roommates.
Plymouth has lots to offer the student community, from pubs and cafes to crazy golf, axe throwing and escape rooms! You don’t have to venture into a club to have fun in Plymouth!
Check out our top 10 fun places to visit as a student in Plymouth: