How to make the most of your first week     

Don’t underestimate the importance of your first week. It can be exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

It’s where lifelong friendships blossom and it can set the tone for an important chapter in your life.  

Keep reading to discover our top tips to get the most out of your first week…

And don’t forget to share your arrival pictures on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #helloINTO.

Make an effort to meet your housemates

Get to know people in your accommodation. Whether you’re staying in a student apartment, in dorms or homestay, the people you live with are going to be a huge part of your life for the next year. So, put the time in to get to know them.

Shared meals are a great start, it’s much easier to make conversation when you’re sharing a meal.

Throw yourself into orientation week

You’ll find there’s a lots of organised activities on offer including orientation programmes and Freshers’ Week.

Make the most of what’s on offer – the activities are designed to help you get settled into university life. And, they’re great ways to get to know people.

Take advantage of clubs and societies

Joining a club is very sociable. It’ll help you meet new people and build new friendships across campus; it’s one of the best ways to soak up a new culture and improve your language skills too.

You’ll find plenty of clubs and societies on offer. International societies, sports, music and more, there will be something to suit your interests!

Head to the Students’ Union

The Students’ Union is the social hub of most universities and it’s worth going there during your first week to find out what is going on.

You’ll meet new people in the same position as you, start to make friends and get to grips with university life.

Explore the campus

Your orientation programme will show you the basics, but there’s a lot to be said for discovering the campus on a long walk.

Take in the facilities and get a sense of what’s where – it could really help when you’re deep into your studies.

Explore your new home

Discover the local area, too. Take advantage of organised trips and venture onto local transport to find your way around – and, if you can encourage a few of your new friends to come along for the ride, all the better!

This could be your best chance to buy clothes to make up for those you had to leave behind at home. Or to get in supplies of your favourite snacks at the local supermarket.

There is no such thing as a silly question

Ask lots of questions and don’t be afraid to ask for support at university – it can really help you get settled in and to make the most of your first week.

Janet from Indonesia blogs about her first week studying in the UK and Matheus from Brazil shares his first week studying in the US.   

To find out more about studying abroad, head over to our website.

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