Blog: Five reasons to attend UoB's Welcome Week

The countdown for UoB’s Welcome Week is officially on! Sometimes known in the UK as Freshers’ Week, it's a chance to ease into university life before teaching begins. This is a time when you get to start a whole new journey, and settle into your new home for the next few years. You’ll get to learn more about yourself and what you like to do while getting to meet new people who are on the same journey as you.

Whether you’re a new or returning student, here are my five reasons why you shouldn’t miss out on getting involved with this year’s Welcome Week: 

Tip 1 - Talk to people and get yourself sorted

Welcome Week allows you to get yourself sorted and find out more information all in one place. If you still need to collect your Student ID Card, then head to the Welcome Registration Hub. You can also speak to the Study Abroad Team there too. In the Wellbeing Marquee, set up in the heart of the campus next to the clocktower Old Joe, is where you’ll find out more about the various support provided by UoB to all its students. You can chat to staff from wellbeing teams, as well as getting involved in some of the relaxing activities. If you haven’t yet set up a UK bank account, then make sure you pop along to the ‘Meet the Banks’ session, where you can talk to representatives from local high street banks before making your decision to open an account. Get details of opening hours and locations on the Welcome timetable.

Tip 2 - Explore your new surroundings

Welcome events on campus provide a perfect opportunity to explore the campus to your heart’s content. It’s such a big and beautiful campus that it’s worth getting familiar with it. And if you’re worried about getting lost, fear not, book yourself on to one of the daily Campus Tours led by a student. They’ll take you around campus showing you some of the main buildings including the Main Library, Guild of Students, Community Safety Hub, Sports and Fitness, and more, as well as sharing their insider tips on the best places to visit.

Bonus tip: Getting lost in the first few weeks is inevitable (been there, done that) but when that happens, just head towards Old Joe to get your bearings and make your way towards where you’d like to go!

Tip 3 - Celebrate the start of uni

The whole week is filled with various activities to help you get acclimatised to life in UoB while also getting to meet new people and pick up a few freebies. Make sure you check out the Welcome Fair, Guild Welcome Fair, and the Sport & Fitness Fair to explore what the University has to offer. It’s a chance to let loose and have fun with many events happening in the day, with live music, games, and street food available on campus. But the fun doesn’t stop there! The Guild of Students has also arranged various activities at night including the iconic FAB club nights, and international and postgraduate student mixers, all which you can learn more about on the Guild's Welcome website.

Bonus tip: With so many activities going on, it can be overwhelming. My advice is to go through both Welcome timetables, the University’s and the Guild’s, and then make a schedule of the events you would like to attend. This way you get to do everything you like and not miss out on any of the fun activities.

Tip 4 - Meet new people

For new and returning students, it’s an ideal time to get to meet lots of new people, whether that’s other students on your course, staff, or your Guild Officers. Across the week, there’ll be lots of social activities, so use that as an opportunity to strike up a conversation. Don’t worry if you feel nervous about meeting new people, lots of other people will be feeling the same as you. Just look out for people with warm friendly smiles. There’ll also be various stalls set up throughout the campus including our very own Student Content Shapers stall at the Welcome Fair! Feel free to come to say hi when you arrive on campus!

Tip 5 - Learn more about Societies

And last but not least, the Societies Fair! This is where you get to meet many of the amazing societies we have at the University and find out more about them and their activities. Joining societies is one of the most rewarding experiences at the University and it’s definitely one to not miss out on. I recommend going on both days as there’ll be different groups there each day. Look out for 'Give it a Go' activities throughout the week to try new things or experience a society activity before you join.

UoB’s Welcome Week is one of the most exciting times of the year and I hope you get to make the most out of it! And if unfortunately, you do happen to miss it, don’t worry as some Welcome events and activities will continue into the following week, and the University always has plenty of events and activities taking place throughout the year. Keep an eye on the Welcome timetable and the Brum Bulletin newsletter for what’s on. Have fun and Welcome to the University of Birmingham!