How to survive your first week at college
So, it’s finally time for you to start college. But with such a big change can come mixed emotions, especially at the thought of setting your alarm again after a summer of lazy lie-ins.
Our Welcome Week is where the fun starts and you won’t want to miss it. Before the learning begins, this initial week is a chance for new students to get to know the college better, meet their fellow course mates, and take part in some fun activities.
With this in mind, here are our top tips to help you through your first week at Dearne Valley College.
Be sociable
Starting college can make you feel like a small fish in a big pond. It can seem daunting to introduce yourself to people you’ve never met. What if nobody speaks to you? But try to remember that all new starters are in similar situations to you.
The first week is all about settling in. Nobody expects you to meet your new bestie on day one, but you will be making those first impressions to see which of your course mates you might gel with the most. Our campuses are vibrant and diverse and you’ll soon find people you can identify with.
Put your comfy shoes on
Your first week is a chance to get to know the college campus where you’ll be based. Pay attention on any tour so you know where the key things are: toilets, library, and bistro.
You’ll probably get your steps in while you get your bearings, so comfortable footwear is a must. We have also planned some team building challenges and sports-based activities that you might want to take part in, so plan your outfit around your fave pair of trainers just in case.
Embrace the fun
Just as uni students have Freshers Week, our new college students have Welcome Week. And this year you’re in for a treat.
Each of our three Colleges has a schedule of activities, demos, talks and wellbeing sessions taking place each day throughout Welcome Week. There will be course-specific activities as well as sessions that anyone can take part in.
You could sign up to our Dungeons and Dragons club or ESport league, try out for our college football team, or enter our wildlife habitat design competition.
Along with curriculum-based activities such as escape room challenges and treasure hunts, there will also be drop-in sessions with guest speakers.
At lunchtime, our three bistros will also have stalls and plenty of ice breakers such as photo booths, table tennis competitions, and even karaoke!
The week finishes with an exciting Colour Smash Festival at Dearne Valley Campus on Friday 8th September and you’re all invited.
But don’t feel like you have to do it all
Your first week at college can be amazing but intense. There’s lots to remember and it can take some getting used to. It’s okay to take some time to decompress.
Are ninja warrior style activities not for you? That’s completely fine. Don’t push yourself to take part in anything that’s really out of your comfort zone.
Go digital
Get to grips with our digital learning platforms such as the portal and Google Classroom. Through these, you’ll have access to all kinds of cool applications, study aids and digital tools to help you achieve your best possible work.
While you’re on your phone, follow us on social media if you don’t already. We regularly post updates on our College’s Facebook page and Instagram account. We’re also on Tik Tok and YouTube.
Helpful reminders
Lessons won’t start until the following week, so you won’t need to bring much with you but a pen and small notepad might be useful to write down any details you’re told during Welcome Week. And don’t forget your dinner or some money to buy something from our bistros.
You should have got your timetable by now, so you’ll know what days you’ll need to be in college. Have you decided how you’ll get there each day? If it’s by public transport, Welcome Week will give you a trial run of what route to take and which bus or train to catch.
If you haven’t already, get yourself a Zoom 16-18 Travel Pass to save money on fares. We also have a college bus service that operates between all three of our campuses.
Now that you have your college email address, you might also want to look at what student discount cards are available to unlock savings in-store and online.
Don’t be stuck
If you start to feel anxious about any part of your first week, please don’t shy away from speaking to your tutor or the college student support team. We all deal with change differently, but you shouldn’t feel alone. There will always be someone you can confide in about any concerns you have about your time at college.
