Making the most of Welcome Week: My guide to settling in at Warwick

Welcome Week is one of the most exciting times of the year at university, packed with events and opportunities to get involved. Still, it can be hard to know where to start or how to make the most of it. Here are my top tips for getting the best out of Welcome Week and settling into life at Warwick.

Don’t stay in your room! 

Welcome Week at Warwick is full of activities, events and opportunities to meet new people, so whatever you do, don’t stay in your room! There are countless events happening across campus, many of which you may not know about beforehand. Often, you’ll discover them simply by walking around.

Connect with your flatmates 

Spending time in your kitchen and getting to know your flatmates is crucial. Even if they don’t become your closest friends, maintaining a good relationship with your flatmates will make your first year much easier and far more enjoyable. It’s also one of the simplest ways to make new acquaintances before classes start or before joining societies. 

Explore welcome week activities 

There’s so much going on during Welcome Week, like visiting the Games Hub, stopping by the Piazza to see what’s happening, and… getting freebies! 

In my first year, I walked away with paintball tickets, pizza, tote bags, stationery, and more. You’ll also get to discover a range of societies, meet SU representatives, and chat with companies offering student deals and discounts. It’s the perfect mix of information, socialising, and fun. 

Join societies 

Why societies matter: 

Even if you haven’t given any thought to joining societies, Welcome Week is the time for it. One of the most attractive features of the University of Warwick is the number and variety of societies that it offers. 

That is why going to the societies and sports fairs is an absolute must. Look out for other fairs like the WBS societies fair, which hosts a lot of industry-related societies (Warwick Consulting Society, WBSS…). The stands, like the societies, are fully student-led, whether they are “just for fun”, course-related, or a sports team. 

No pressure to commit:

It doesn’t matter if you join the bubble tea society, the economics society or the tennis team; joining a society can offer a new friend group, exercise, work experience, and opportunities for leadership in the following years of university. And the good thing is that usually, the time dedicated to societies is flexible. If you don’t feel like committing, societies often run free events or rock-ups that non-members can still join. 

There are a number of free sessions like tennis, volleyball, etc, that you can just sign up for and go with your new friends during Welcome Week. 

Tip for international students: 

As an international student, I would also definitely recommend joining your country’s/region's society, as being close to people from the same culture can really help when you feel homesick. 

Go to everything 

Even if you are not a party person, welcome week is the time to say yes to new experiences, put yourself out there! Try different events, step outside your comfort zone, and meet as many people as you can. There are fun on-campus events, convenient and varied, but also great off-campus activities, including house parties. The more you explore, the more people you’ll meet! 

Get settled in

Sort your essentials early: 

Whether it’s setting up your room, doing your grocery shopping, or opening your bank account, get those tasks done early; otherwise, once term begins, your to-do list will only grow.

Check my.wbs early:

After your Welcome Talks, make sure to explore my.wbs straight away. Check your upcoming classes and look for any asynchronous content that needs to be completed before the first lectures. Trust me, there is nothing worse than starting the term feeling like you're already behind.