Liverpool John Moores University

To begin, I moved into my accommodation on the main day for move, which was the Sunday before freshers weeks started. I expected it to be really chaotic so I booked my move in at an early time (10am-ish). There were loads of staff and volunteers to help me carry my belongings to my new room which was helpful because there was no parking new the accommodation and parking wardens were ticketing so everyone literally had to throw things out of the cars and move them to a car park down the road before they got in trouble. This was stressful. I didn't really have time to talk to anyone (either the staff who were offering advice and snacks downstairs, or any other new students). It was very rushed. My advice for moving in would be to get some cardboard boxes to put little stuff or odd shaped things in because it makes it easier to carry or load on to trolleys which a lot of accommodation use. I think a lot of students stress that when they go to uni, they get thrown into the course straight away. This didn't happen for me. My course had a 'freshers week' timetable (I think most do to be fair). We spent an hour one or two days in the week discussing the course for the year. I got given programme and module guides so I had an idea of what I would be studying in the upcoming year. In other sessions various other members of the university met with us, such a librarians and study support staff to give us info about studying at uni and we also met with student union reps who gave advice on general studying and living in the city away from home. My course also organised activities outside of uni to introduce us to the city and help us bond with course mates better. We went kayaking on Albert Docks. Pretty cool experience though not many people on the course showed up. You find that a lot I think that students think freshers week course stuff is optional. I would suggest doing everything anyway because 1) most of the time you're given useful info to help with your studies. 2) it helps you to meet the people on your course..odds are the people showing up for these things are the people who work hard too so it's probably worth introducing yourself in case you need them later on too. And 3) staff DO notice who doesn't attend and it just looks bad on you. An event I remember being put on by the uni was the freshers welcome fair (different from freshers fair..I'll get to that). The welcome fair had stalls for all kind stuff of things but predominantly, they were informative and advice kind of booths. I signed up for my new GP here, spoke to some local police officers, signed up to volunteer for Liverpool FC's foundation, and found information on jobs available in the uni I could apply for as a student. Many people I know didn't attend this but I found this more useful that freshers fair because it was loaded with information. I can't remember whether freshers fair was actually in freshers week but I think it was so I'll talk about it haha. This event was massive. Every society and club you could possibly want to join at uni is here trying to get you to sign on. Don't be afraid to go to everyone. Get informed. Put your name down. You're not signing you soul away, you're just registering your interest. People will just walk up to you and it's hard to avoid them, best sometimes to just listen to what they say sometimes. You never know what you might find interesting. Bars and clubs had stalls here too so I could learn a little bit about the popular areas to go out (useful if you want to meet people). Quick tips for freshers from me: only being the necessities from home..if you think you might need it but don't use it often, put it in a box a few weeks before you move. If you never take it out odds are you won't use it. You'll probably iron three times at uni so don't bother buying an iron haha. My flat mate bought one and one was provided anyway. Also, Ikea shops are a big deal and you can get some absolute bargains but I'd still look around because sometimes you can find better things cheaper from somewhere else..just saying. Although they have coat hangers for £1.25 for 10. Black ones. These are amazing!! Definitely recommend. I budgeted for uni before I came but I've realised that since the 1st week I've never stuck to it..especially if you join a sports team because they'll ask you to buy specific stuff for a theme and it'll blow your budget out the water. Don't be scared to say no or you can't afford it but be aware that's where your money will go. Go to everything though. Uni lectures, workshops and social events. Don't be embarrassed to show up and don't be scared to say no but you'll love it really. I wasn't excited to come to uni. Not scared but just not interested really. I've changed now though. I love the city and I'm so happy to be a John Moores Ranger!! :-)

The was a wide range of events but many were based on abroad type parties such as foam parties etc. We didn't want to do any of these and this view was shared by a lot of people. The queues were massive but freshers wristbands are over priced. More locations should be used and not just have one event per day, have them on at a couple of places per night.

Freshers was an amazing experience meeting new people from different backgrounds. I love my uni life