How to Navigate Freshers' Fair
Whether you are a new or returning student, find out how to make the most of Freshers' Week at Queen's!
The Freshers' Fair is always an exciting event for all students no matter what year of study, for various reasons. The vast array of clubs and societies; as well as the many freebies and the social aspect draw in many students over the three days of the fair.
With over 200 societies, it is so easy to find at least one thing you would be interested in. Queen's offers clubs that range from academic, creative, charitable, cultural, political, religious, to sporting, as well as many others. There’s something for everyone no matter if it is your first time trying it out or you play professionally.
Find out more about Clubs and Societies at Queen's
There is usually one day for academic clubs, one for sports clubs and one for non-academic clubs which means that over the three day event it is worth visiting each day because the clubs differ.
It is usually hosted downstairs in the SU which makes it accessible to everyone with prizes to be won and many freebies to get. I always aim to sign up to one new society every year which I had never previously considered.
What I signed up for
In first year I decided to sign up to fencing for the first time to give it a try and I’m so grateful I did because I’ve learnt a new sport that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to try out. In second year I decided to join the trampolining society as I would always see them bouncing in the PEC and thought it looked like a lot of fun.
Fencing Club is one of the 220+ clubs and societies at Queen's
This coming year I am thinking of joining the mountaineering and climbing club and so will definitely be speaking to their stall at freshers' fair. As well as joining a new society it is always nice to join a society in something that you love. For me this has been sailing, air squadron and lacrosse as they have all been passions I had before joining university, so it is nice to have a group of people with the same interests as me.
Some people like to join an academic society and I would recommend this in first year in order to meet more people from your course. Academic societies can be very useful for your CV, especially for Medicine, so this is important to consider.
Find out more about Medical Clubs and Societies at Queen's
Non-academic clubs can be a great way to socialise without a lot of effort. In first year I joined the wine and cheese society and it was great because all it required was for me to turn up and chat to people, so unlike a sport society where you turn up to train you can just relax and enjoy people’s company.
When you arrive
When you arrive at freshers' fair, spend as long as you need walking around every stall and chatting to those at the stalls because you may find a new society you wouldn’t have considered before. As the fair is one-way, you don’t need to worry about missing a row of stalls!
Take your time and check out as many stalls as possible!
Check out the line-up for this year:
Good luck and enjoy the fair!
Find out more
Queen's welcome and orientation
Charlotte Jennings;Politics and International Relations | Undergraduate Student | London, EnglandI'm a Politics and International Relations student in my third year at Queen's. I am from London and currently live in student housing but lived in Elms BT9 last year. I love to be a busy person and am a member of multiple societies and teams at Queen's. I am also undertaking a charitable project at Queen's called the Zambia project where we host fundraisers in order to collect money and aid for our missionary trip to Zambia. In my spare time I teach water sports in Bangor and so far I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Belfast even though it is very different to London. I would highly recommend the university to anyone as I have had the best experience here so far and have fallen in love with this country. |
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