Everything You Need To Know About Freshers Fairs in 2023

Freshers Fairs may sound kind of cheesy, but trust us; you don’t want to miss yours. 

Where are the best parties? Which societies does your uni have on offer? Where is the best place for lunch on campus? Your Freshers Fair will have the inside scoop on all this and more!

It usually happens during the first week of the semester, and it’s not only a great way to meet new people, but it’s also your chance to get your name on the list for the hottest freshers' events.

So what is a Freshers Fair anyway?

In simple terms, the Freshers Fair is a hub of all things uni-life. 

It will likely take place in your Student Union or your sports centre, and you can expect an array of stalls from all sorts of societies, clubs, venues, charities and more. Plenty of people will hand out leaflets, and we recommend just taking them all and deciding what’s your cup of tea later. Plus, most of the stalls will be promoting their social media accounts, so you can always give them a quick follow and suss them out once you’re back home. 

Pro tip: Be sure to check them for free discount, club entry and potentially a free drink token!

The event is not just for first-year students. Second and third years are also invited as the societies tend to change yearly, and there’s pretty much always something new to attend. 

Most universities also invite and set up food stalls too, so even if you fancy a bite, you should pop along and buy a variety of delicious food, or if you are lucky again, you might snatch something for free.

When does it happen?

Usually, it is a one or two-day event that takes place in the first week of term, but it's always best to check out your uni’s website to get the deets.

On the fence? Here are a few reasons why you should definitely attend your Freshers Fair...

1. Get stuck in!

Freshers Fairs are usually packed to the brim with people, making it a great place to get stuck into university life and basically dive head first into your new social scene. If you can, you might want to head there with a buddy to help you navigate the sea of students, but if you want to go solo, more power to you! 

Whether alone or with your pals, we recommend getting there early-ish (if your hangover allows) so you’re not rushing to see, do and try everything you want. 

2. Collect all the leaflets.

Most Freshers Fairs hosted by universities have so much stuff and information there that it's hard to wrap your head around it. If you think you’ll be able to remember that stall you liked the look of once you get home, you won’t. 

That’s why you need to take all the leaflets. Yes, all of them. 

Ok, not the ones for the societies you simply hate the look of but definitely the ones that intrigue you! After all, it’s better to have it and not want it than to want it and not have it - right?

3. Freebies!

One of the best things about Freshers Fairs? The freebies, obviously! There will be plenty of people there handing out free stuff, from pens to discount vouchers, drinks, snacks - maybe even a tote bag or two (that might come in handy for all those leaflets you’re picking up!).

Even if you are convinced the Freshers Fair won’t have anything for you in terms of societies and clubs, it's still worth going for the free stuff. 

4. Talk to new people

Scary, we know, but it’s the only way to make connections! 

There will be a lot of people who are new to student life - just like you - so don't be afraid to approach them and strike up a conversation. The great thing about Freshers Fair is if you meet someone at a stand for a society, it’s likely you’ve already got some common ground. 

Who knows? You might even meet your new bestie. 

5. Societies & clubs (the other kind of club)

Probably one of the main reasons for the Freshers Fair is to promote your uni’s sports clubs and societies. Whether it’s the tea-drinking society or the surf club, you’re bound to find something up your alley - and the options may surprise you! 

Our advice? Go with an open mind. 

There you have it, a low-down on Freshers Fairs, what they are, what to expect and a couple of top tips here and there. So go forth and “fresher” - remember, get there early, go alone or try it solo, be open-minded, talk to people and (arguably) most importantly, grab those freebies!