Editor Ella Guy gives her experience of Welcome Week and describes what to expect.
Welcome Week is anxiously awaited for most, but it is also one of the most memorable and exciting periods of First Year. For me, Welcome Week was an immense amount of fun and so activity-packed that there was very little time to stress. The Freps were friendly and welcoming, and all of the freshers were equally keen to make friends. For incoming freshers, if you make the most of the events on offer, Freshers Week will be far more of a smooth sailing time than you expect. It was such a formative time in terms of the connections I made that those friendships have stuck throughout the year, and I will be frepping in September because of how helpful I found Welcome Week as a Fresher – the college system really gets Freshers Week right!
The most nerve-racking moment of the whole week was the arrival, but it was also the biggest moment of relief. The long drive winding through Durham to pick up a pass to enter the Bailey, and then rolling up the Bailey itself, is easily a fretful experience, but it was quickly clear that John’s would be a welcoming place. The Freps stood outside the college with a roaring speaker, pots and pans and an immense amount of enthusiasm, welcoming all of the freshers one by one. While my belongings were taken off to my room, I was whisked away to be fitted with a gown and to be briefed on the week ahead. I then eventually got to see my room, and, being in a shared room, felt very glad of the spaciousness. I spent the rest of the day exploring Durham and sitting in one of the many cafes while I waited for my roommate to arrive, and when we finally met, I was swiftly satisfied that it would be a good year.
The activities in Welcome Week are delivered with so much zeal that there is very little awkwardness in meeting other freshers, and the infamously scripted interaction, what’s your name? and where are you from? etc., is largely reduced as a result. One activity which I remember most clearly is the icebreaker, during which we had to find someone with something in common, and a lot of the individuals I spoke to then I am still very good friends with. And of course there are the nights out… The Freps make these so much more fun, because there is so much more of a sense of safety during a week that is very exciting but which can also be very chaotic. It is also important to point out that these are not the only evening events, as there is always an alternative way to spend the evening for anyone less fond of the clubs, such as activities which tend to be more creative or a movie night. Plus, there is also always late night Tea and Toast for a calm end to the night.
There are two matriculations in Welcome Week, university-wide and John’s-specific. Although the university Matriculation is spectacular in Durham Cathedral, the John’s Matriculation is much more personal and really makes you feel part of the college. These are the first chances to wear a gown, and it does feel official!
There are also two freshers fairs, one specifically for John’s and the other for societies open to all students. For any DU sports or societies, make sure to attend the Freshers Fair at Maiden Castle, but for more casual activities, college sports and societies are great fun and definitely worth asking about.
At the end of Welcome Week is the Mega Party. This is when the rest of the College joins the festivities, and it finishes off Freshers Week with just as much fun as it started with.
All in all, to any incoming freshers, rest assured that Welcome Week at John’s will make the transition into university seamless, and there is a lot less to worry about than you might expect. If you make sure to stock up on lots of snacks a few good conversation starters, the week will be plain-sailing.
Image credit: Ella Guy
John's Chronicle 