Issue 157

Revealed Freshers Week - The Aftermath

08th October 2007

Freshers' Week had many treats lined up this year, including Tony Lee the XXX Hypnotist, Bierkeller and the Pornstar Party. The one which proved to be the favourite event was 'Fresh and Free'. All our four Freshers were in agreement about this. Joe revealed how because the Woodside Freshers t-shirts were green, a few members from his block wore cam-cream.

The cam-cream was taken to Fresh and Free and so during the night more and more people were turning into Rambo, with Joe estimating 95% of Woodside enjoyed the night with cam-cream on. It was Aaron's first night out in Swansea and Fresh and Free was so enjoyable for him because everyone was there, an excellent event to meet everyone in one go and get to know who lives where. Definitely an event which should become annual as it was such a hit with its premiere outing this year.

Woody's in the Hendrefoelan village seems to be growing in popularity, with some of the Freshers electing to go there for a night out instead of DV8 or Wind Street. With such reasonable student prices and a lively atmosphere, it is easy to see why. With weekly bingo nights it's quickly becoming a top night out during the week.

The long queues for Tooters on a Friday have deterred some of the Freshers living in the village from going. Unfortunately the long queues for Tooters happen throughout the year so our only advice is to grin and bear it. DV8 did however provide an excellent night out in the form of Tony Lee. With his X-rated and outrageous performances, many believed the hypnotisms to be real, saying how some of the sketches were so embarrassing that you wouldn't do them out of choice!

The Pornstar party was an enjoyable night, with Stefanie wearing a £3 Primark dress only to find 50 other girls wearing the same dress. Something which will no doubt happen again as Primark is undoubtedly one of the places to go for great, inexpensive clothes.

Aaron wore a bow tie, trousers, cuffs, braces and a shirt adorned with his 'pornstar name' courtesy of Facebook. What it is Waterfront really does not need to know! Time has new additions this year with interesting people in Frankenstein costumes dancing on the podiums and a massive drum kit.

For the Freshers' Ball Joe revealed that many of the boys went as schoolgirls, as suggested by the rugby team. With blonde wigs and small skirts, we hope they had a good time and that the small skirts did stay on all night and didn't end up in places they shouldn't. With many events coming up, we can expect boys dressed as girls many times during the year!

Stefanie had rather a few stories to tell on how, whilst Freshers has been an amazing week, there have been casualties in the form of her broken phone, lost camera and scratches after 'falling' into a hedge. Indeed her friend Ben felt her pain too as she jumped on him, but with both ending up falling to the ground. He still has the bruising and he had to go to A&E the next morning.

It would also appear that Stefanie has quite a fondness for running like a maniac around the village late at night... It has to be said that it is quite impressive that Stefanie has done so much in just one week!

Both Stefanie and Joe had been locked out of their rooms, something that many of us can empathize with. Joe ended up sleeping on his friend's floor, electing to go to maintenance the next morning. A wise decision as it was 3am! All there is to say is what happens in the village, stays in the village.

The Freshers' Fayre was a great place to get to know the range of clubs and societies available to join. Aaron described how on returning home he realised he had numerous flyers, mints, two t-shirts and a can of baked beans. Why baked beans no-one quite knows, but together with toast they make a great, all-rounded meal.

Natasha enjoyed the Fayre as it was a great opportunity to get involved in the teams and there was a brilliant turn out this year with all clubs being well represented with helpful and friendly members. Being spread over two days is good so that everyone has a chance to sign up to whichever club and society they like.

However, the AU was very busy and it really needed to have a bigger space. This feeling was echoed by the other Freshers, saying that the AU should have its own marquee on a different day. Perhaps the new electronic system needs to be refined a bit more.

Many of the Freshers have signed up to the sports teams including rugby union and rugby league. Natasha invites everyone to come support the Women's football team against Cardiff this Sunday. With Varsity getting closer by the day, its time to train up these bright-eyed Freshers into hardened, Varsity champions.

The village already seems to hold a special place in our Freshers' hearts as it has been described by them as 'amazing'. In their block they have already had a 'block party', with flashing lights and an iPod being plugged into a guitar amp. Hopefully these good times will continue to roll all year. The village certainly does have a very unique and fun atmosphere.

University is a fantastic time in which to experience life. Living with new people you've only just met can be daunting but as our Freshers show, you'll all be having fun in no time! Learning and socialising can go hand in hand. Swansea is a fantastic place to study with a great beach and lively night life. With the Pinkathon, Beer Race and Winter Ball all coming up this term, good times will surely continue. We wish all of our Freshers the best of luck in their university careers.

Claire Packer