Congratulations on getting in to the University of Southampton. By now, you are probably feeling excited, some of you apprehensive and some of you absolutely terrified. Don't panic though, the Students' Union is here to help make your Freshers' Week fantastic, offering you all the advice, support, entertainment and great nights out that you could possibly need.
So what is SUSU? Good question. We're your Students' Union: the body that represents you as a student and offers the best university experience possible. From societies to support, club nights to our very own cinema, your Union has it all. Our new website is launching soon, but in the meantime find out more on the about SUSU page.
At a glance, here's what you need to know before you arrive.
If you've registered for accommodation with the University, your offer will appear soon on their on-line accommodation system. You'll have seven days to accept it. Once you've done that, they'll tell you which day of Moving In Weekend to arrive on and where to go. If you have any other concerns about accommodation, call the accommodation hotline on 02380 595959.
A welcome e-mail or letter from the University will give you your Student ID number. Use this to enrol as a student on the enrolment website. It'll ask you to create a uni computing account first. The enrolment site is worth reading. It has a before you arrive check list and details of the ID you need to bring. It also gives you the details of your academic school induction.
If you are a UK student, you will receive a pack in the post with your ID card application form. If you are an international student, you will need to fill this form out online. It is a good idea to do this as soon as possible, as you will need your ID card to get into buildings. To book tickets for Freshers' Week, you'll need your Student ID Number, so make a note of this.
Before long you'll receive an email from SUSU welcoming you to the Students' Union, inviting you to all of the Freshers' Week fun and telling you how to book your tickets for Freshers' Events.
On August 31st, we will be posting UK students a lovely pack of SUSU goodies. This includes the incredible Fresh Magazine and DVD. It's a gift from us to you — the first of many — designed to tell you everything you want to know about your Union and get you very excited about coming here. If you're an international student, you won't miss out. We're putting the bulk of the info (and videos) up on-line and you'll get the rest in your Starter Kit upon arrival.
For updates about Freshers' Week, follow us on twitter, like SUSU on facebook and join the Freshers' Week Official Group. If you have questions you can ask them online or e-mail a sabb directly.
They go on sale on Monday 6th September at 10am. Find out more over on the Nightlife page.
If you are living in Halls this year, you will move in on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of September. When you arrive you'll receive your key, along with information packs from the University and from SUSU. Look out for our Freshers' Week welcome team, who'll be handing out Freshers' Starter Kits containing the second issue of Fresh.
If you are living somewhere other than halls this year, SUSU is here for you too. Come along to our Private Rented Open days where we will give you all the advice and support you may need for living in Southampton or Winchester. The Private Rented Open Days are on August 31st at the Winchester School of Art and on September 1st at Highfield campus if you are studying in Southampton.
Freshers’ Week is all about making that transition from your familiar and comfortable home environment to the new and exciting world of university. Our job at SUSU is to do everything we can to help you settle in, making the adjustment as straightforward as possible.
Your first week living as a student at the university is called ‘Freshers’ Week’ because it’s a week dedicated totally to freshers – YOU. It’s a week to get used to living away from home, with new people and in a new environment – you’ll settle in to life at the uni, make new friends, explore the city and campus, and get a taste of all the amazing things on offer to you as a student here.
We’ve organised a host of events and activities all designed to introduce to the life of being a student at the University and becoming a member of SUSU, our Students’ Union. We’ve got events, fayres, parties and even a festival and a ball over a period of ten days, just to ease you in.
You can buy tickets for all Freshers' Week events online from 10am on Monday 6th September, from the Box Office on level 3 of the SUSU building (bldg. 42) or online from the Box Office.
It may seem a little overwhelming at first, but SUSU is here to help you adapt to the change and make the most of your time in Southampton. You’ll also meet SUSU’s JCR (Junior Common Room) teams, who will help you get comfortable in your accommodation, as well as running some great nights for you in and around your halls bars.
Most students look back to their Freshers’ Week as one of the most exciting and memorable times at university so remember: make sure you get out there, seize every opportunity, try new things, look after yourself, and – most importantly – have fun!
This is the only official group for University of Southampton freshers. There are other groups on facebook — some posing as official ones — many of which are misleading, scams, or just trying to sell you something.
