Freshers’ Week. It sounds light and exciting. And it is for a lot of young people. It’s a fresh start. A new beginning. It’s the week that marks a new phase in life – a time of independence, hope and opportunities.

But for a lot of young people, it can feel the opposite. Scary. Lonely. A week full of new challenges, fear and apprehension.

And it’s not surprising because there’s a lot to navigate.

The weight of new environments

Freshers’ Week often means finding yourself in a completely new environment. The majority of students will be in a new city, or even a new country, on their own for the very first time.

Their home, their housemates, their surroundings, their journey to lectures – it’s all unfamiliar and overwhelming. Without friends or family around to help them adjust, it can be too much for some students to cope with.

Social and academic overload

There’s the social hurdle to overcome. Freshers’ Week has developed in recent times, and is much more inclusive than just a week of late nights in pubs and clubs. But it’s still largely revolved around social events, which can be an anxious prospect for introverts or people who struggle socially.

The academic demands are greater too. With the structures and comforts of school taken away, it’s now on the student to take on much more responsibility.

Not everyone is equipped to take that in their stride. While some people thrive given that level of independence, others can quickly feel lost, confused, and eventually, fall behind.

Feeling financially overwhelmed

The financial burden on students is at an all-time high – the cost of living is making it harder for students to survive at university, let alone thrive.

Add to that, Freshers’ Week will be the first time students are fully in charge of their finances and budget. With the pressure to say yes to every event, they can very quickly start to feel the financial heat.

Students only have to feel one of these pressures for it to negatively impact their experience at university, but some people are going through them all at once. And we’re all too familiar with where these challenges can lead to – anxiety and stress, depression, substance abuse, sleep disorders and burnout.

How organisations can take the fresher pressure off

Universities and colleges are much more prepared to help new students make a smoother, less-scary transition to life on campus.

However, with the start of term approaching, it’s a good time for organisations to take stock of the way they support new students. And refresh their Freshers’ Week approach.

Does your orientation cover all bases?

Freshers’ Week can’t be just about socialising and leaving students alone to find their feet. It needs to be an orientation week that covers everything new students need to feel settled and supported – from academic resources, to financial management, to mental health services and more.

Have you got the right support in place?

Universities need to make sure there are counselling services on hand, and that they’re well promoted and easy for students to find. Peer mentoring programs are also hugely valuable to help the new intake bed in.

Is the Freshers’ Week schedule inclusive?

From day one, organisations need to show they care about diversity and inclusivity. And that should come across in the range of events they put on throughout the week, making sure they’re catering to people with different interests.

Are you creating a sense of community?

Inclusivity comes from an open culture – one that encourages students to set up groups and societies that cater to a wide range of needs and backgrounds. Students can then find like-minded people they connect with, and socialise in a more comfortable setting.

Are you promoting healthy lifestyles?

Organisations can take an active role in promoting healthy living – offering discounted gym memberships, advertising wellness workshops, and sharing information on nutrition and sleep.

Are you looking out for vulnerable new students?

It’s important for organisations to give extra support and attention to students who may need it. Whether that’s international students, people from lower social economic backgrounds, or students who have pre-existing mental health problems, universities need to identify those people who are more vulnerable to feeling the university strain. And have the professionals and support structures in place to help them.

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