Freshers' Fair Tips: What to Do, What to Skip, and How to Actually Benefit

When you walk into your first freshers' fair, a large-scale event at UK universities where societies, vendors, and services set up booths to welcome new students. Also known as orientation fair, it's your first real chance to find your place on campus—before the lectures even start. But most students leave with a bag full of free pens and zero clarity. You don’t need more swag. You need direction.

At a freshers' fair, you’re not just collecting flyers—you’re scouting your next community. The societies booth isn’t just about joining a club. It’s about finding people who feel like home. The student union stall isn’t just selling merch—it’s offering support if you’re lost, lonely, or overwhelmed. The accommodation provider isn’t just pushing rent deals—they’re telling you which housing blocks have working heaters and which ones don’t. These aren’t marketing booths. They’re lifelines.

And then there are the traps. The flashy stall handing out chocolate bars while ignoring your questions. The reps who can’t tell you how many members are in their society. The one that promises "free pizza every week" but requires you to sign a 12-month commitment. You don’t need to join everything. You need to ask the right questions: How often do you meet? Is there a cost? Who runs it? If they can’t answer, walk away. Your time matters more than a free snack.

Don’t forget the practical booths. The bank offering student accounts? Ask about fees, overdraft limits, and whether they have apps that track spending. The telecom provider? Check if they offer student discounts on data or if they’re just pushing contracts you don’t need. The NHS clinic? Find out where the nearest walk-in centre is and how to book a GP appointment. These aren’t side notes—they’re essentials you’ll use every week.

And what about the people? Talk to current students, not just reps. They’re the ones who’ll tell you which society actually meets every week, which lecture hall has no chairs, or which café stays open past 10pm. If you see someone wearing a society hoodie, ask them why they joined. Their answer will tell you more than any brochure.

There’s no magic checklist. But there is a rhythm: arrive early, focus on three priorities—housing, health, and community—and leave with no more than three real leads. Don’t try to do it all. Do it well. You’ll spend the next three years surrounded by these choices. Make sure they’re the right ones.

What you’ll find below are real stories from students who’ve been there. How one student found their best friend at a board game night they stumbled into. How another saved £300 by switching banks after asking the right question. How someone avoided a £200 penalty by checking their tenancy agreement before signing. These aren’t tips you’ll hear on a university tour. These are the truths you only learn after the glitter fades.