Whether you’re joining us a brand-new student, or you’re returning for another year of study, it’s normal to experience lots of feelings and emotions in the first couple of weeks.
There’s lots of new people to meet, lots of events to attend and lots to adapt to as you start a new year of study.
With that in mind; we just wanted to remind you to be mindful of your own behaviour and be respectful of the feelings of your new friends/classmates:
Don’t feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to do
It’s easy to get swept up on nights out or with the thrill of Welcome Week and feel pressured to do things you wouldn’t normally do. It’s OK to step back and think about whether it’s something you really want to do before saying yes.
Be respectful of others
Not everyone wants to drink lots of alcohol or stay up until 3am every night. Be respectful of other students’ decisions and wishes – they may be in recovery from an addiction, dealing with a range of issues, or just want a completely different university experience to the one you want.
Don’t overspend
With the excitement of Welcome Week, it can be tempting to flash the cash especially when you’ve just received your first student loan instalment but remember – your student loan needs to last you until Christmas so think twice before you make any big, unnecessary purchases. The University can provide financial support in certain situations, but your bank statements will be carefully reviewed before a decision is made, so some of your initial purchases might come back to haunt you.
Be careful
Becoming a victim of crime is never your fault but when you’re in an exciting new city and you’re out with your new friends, your security is probably the last thing on your mind but it’s important to stay safe.
If you feel like you’ve had too much to drink and you’re not in control, stop and go home.
Be cautious of scams and don’t carry large amounts of cash around which could cause you to become a target of crime.
Click here to find out more about our support services at the University.