Nine Thousand Pounds Worth of Freebies

I wanted to start by saying very well done if you got into Leicester and arrived this weekend. You’re sure to have a few lows and homesick moments over the next few days, weeks and months but you’ll meet more people, try more things and learn more stuff than any other point in your life and come out much stronger and more independent for it.

I’m sure if you’ve joined this year you’ve heard lots about most of the fresher’s events endlessly and there is some great stuff they put on. One of my favourite events was fresher’s fair, so here are my thoughts on it:

Fresher’s fair is a chance for companies, charities and societies to pitch themselves to students. People will be trying to sign you up to things left, right and centre. You’ll be inundated with leaflets and many stalls will have incentives in the form of freebies.

I like freebies as much as the next person and I was so impressed by what was on offer. Last year, as well as the usual keyrings,  pens and USB sticks often given out at events, there were things like kitchen utensils, pizza, red bull, washing up liquid, pizza, ‘odka’ vodka, and Dominos, who have a contract with the uni were giving out- pizza! All these things are potentially a very useful commodity as at university and although they’re sure to be different this year, there will be some weird and wonderful things worth having for sure.

My Notice Board Last Year After Freshers Fair

So, my tips for getting maximum freebies- try to perfect your quizzical, intrigued expression which will fool people into thinking you’re more interested in there company than you are. When perfected this will bring in the goods thick and fast.  Also go to stalls with the best freebies at least twice, once near the beginning and one at the end of the fair. At the domino stand there are several people you can speak to so you can go to see more people to get more pizza. If you’re really keen, you go with different friend or put on a hoody for increased unrecognisability and try going round more times.

You may think I’ve put too much thought into this… you’d probably be right. But you’ve got to remember there’s no such thing as a free meal! Your £9 grand student fee payed for this event so make the most of it!

The other part of fresher’s fair, situated in the SU last year is the societies’ section. You’ll end up signing up to far more than you could ever go to but that’s okay. Try the (usually free) taster sessions and find something new. All of Leicester’s societies are listed with information and contact details here.

Last year I went to the Historical Re-enactment Society- a strange but fantastic bunch who teach you to fight with a sword and shield while shooting arrows at you. I also tried the rowing one which was quite serious but interesting, the poker fresher’s game where I beat the last year’s president as well as the Quidditch taster day. Although the only one I only carried on with was Quidditch, I don’t regret doing any of them as it’s a great chance to try something different and meet new people; what it’s all about!

I’m heading down to the fair tomorrow and am thinking of joining a new sport, maybe cycling or kayaking… I’ll have to see which has the best freebies.

Thanks for reading, comment if you bag yourself any unusual freebies!