ESSENTIAL GUIDE MDX FRESHERS

My number one tip to survive Welcome Month is: a portable phone charger, aka. the lifesaver of the new age.

As members of the 21st century, it is a given that we are glued to our phones almost 24/7, and who doesn’t love a good snapchat on a night out? Bringing a portable charger is a must!

Not only can it be used to make sure you keep up with all your forms of social media, but also to ensure you have a means of communicating with the people you came with. Keeping your phone alive also means that it is one step easier to call that uber home, ensuring a safe end to your night of fun.

It is so easy to find some good quality chargers, small enough to fit in your bag or purse. And for no more than £15, it would be a waste not to get one. Also, getting one of those wires that accommodate not only your phone, but also other brands too, could make it easier to help your friends survive the night with you.

Something for those forgetful souls out there: emergency contact number cards.

This little card can be used to hold all the numbers to call in case you lose your phone or are too out of it to remember. Just write down your emergency contacts before a night out, keep it in your bag, inside your phone case, or pocket, and have fun! At least then, you know that you can easily contact your friends or family in case something does happen. Another tip I discovered during my days of partying during freshers: using my bus pass or card holder as a mini purse.

These handy little holders are not only useful for keeping your oyster card, but can also be used to hold your credit cards and ID, as well as the little emergency contact number card! This not only reduces the space needed for a purse or wallet in your bags or pockets, but also conveniently keeps all the important cards in one safe place.

Though, it also means that you’ll have to make sure not to misplace it, since losing it could mean a headache no one wants to experience.

Not to sound like a nagging parent, but staying hydrated is very important, especially when alcohol is involved!

Bring along a little bottle of water for the night and you will be sorted for when you want a drink without the kick. Freezing the bottle before your night out would also make it refreshingly cool, a nice contrast to the hot dance floor, without you having to constantly push your way to the bar just for a glass of water.

Condoms - Now, now, don’t you snicker. We’re all adults here.

Plus, you never know when you could get lucky, so you better wrap it before you tap it in order to have the best uni experience you can get!

Don’t forget spare shoes!

All the ladies out there, I’m pretty sure I don’t have to tell you, but a whole night out in 6 inch heels is not going to be fun, no matter how good they make your legs look. Get yourselves a pair of pretty little roll-up ballet pumps for when your feet can’t take it anymore, and pop them into your bag. It’ll help, trust me.

Don’t be afraid to be friendly with the security guards.

The security guards are usually really approachable, and it doesn’t hurt to have a couple ‘bants’ with them as you line up to enter MDX House. This way, they’ll remember your face, and they will be able to spot you in a crowd later. This might not sound great, but it’s perfect for those wondering drinkers who like to adventure and get into trouble.

It could never hurt to have a packet of tissues on you during freshers.

It could be for a spilled drink, or to wipe up the little icky left on someone’s chin after having a bit too much to drink, but tissues are definitely a handy thing to have on you when on a night out.

Plasters - No one ever has one when someone needs them, so why don’t you be the savior and bring them along?

Be the prepared one and save someone’s battered feet, or bleeding fingers.

My last little tip for you potential party goers: get yourself a little disposable camera.

Okay, so it’s not an essential, nor will it really help you survive the chaos that is freshers. But it will help you to remember the things you cannot after a little alcohol induced amnesia.

The best part is that with disposable cameras, you can’t delete the photo after. You’re capturing the moment in its truest form. Plus, it’ll make a good laugh amongst your fiends once the photos are developed.

And that’s it.

Those are my tips and tricks to surviving Freshers at Middlesex, tried and tested throughout the years by someone who has attended (almost) all the parties and events Welcome Month has to offer.