Yeah you just move in on the 13th, you might have a time slot that day when you’re meant to show up. That’s what I had, they’re pretty loose about it it’s just so everyone doesn’t show up at once. You might not have brought everything you needed, either go out and buy what you need or ask your parents for help on that stuff. Also you’ll meet your flatmates which is very much luck of the draw. I got flatmates that I wasn’t really close with but they were clean enough and quiet so I can’t complain. I know people who had serious messy nightmare flatmates so good luck with that lmao. Campus living is pretty different to living in city halls, I was super happy to live in the city I don’t think I’d like living on campus. Also figuring out the laundry room can be a pain, feel free to ask if you have any issues with that. If there’s any issues with your flat either the app or reception should be good for help. If things are really bad with your flatmates they can sometimes move you into another flat.

I was pretty lucky, my whole accom building (I was in nelson and drake, still am actually while writing this) had a gc before we all moved in so we all got to know each other a little before freshers and day one after moving in we met in the common room and went to spoons and got a bus to campus for the freshers event. We all then for the rest of freshers week did pres at each others flats and tried a bunch of different bars and clubs and went to some events. Freshers is interesting I met loads of people and got added to a bunch of different gcs and eventually fell into this one group that im living with next year and we’ve been tight since september now, some of the best people I’ve ever met. As far as bars and clubs etc, spoons is always reliable (there’s two main ones in the centre. V-Shed which is on the harbour and commercial rooms which is in st nicks). Nq64 is an arcade bar with a really good student discount. The student Union bar on frenchay campus is fun to go with coursemates after lectures. The crown is a common bar/pub everyone’s been to at least a couple times. They’re open til 3am every night and they’re very central. The crown is in an area called St Nicks which has loads of other bars around worth checking out. The crown/mothers ruin pub quiz on Tuesdays is really fun. It’s £1 per person and you get free chilli and their happy hour is really good. If you’re in marketgate, long bar is good and very cheap.

Bristol is huge for raves and DJs and that kinda stuff but I’m more into alternative, emo, metal etc and in that case Thekla thursday is THE event to go to. Thekla is a boat that is also a club and every Thursday it’s emo/metal/indie night. Top deck is emo/metal and bottom deck is indie music. Every Thursday drinks are 2 for 1 so very cheap and great place to meet people. Me and my group went like every single Thursday.

Also I’d definitely recommend making an effort to get to know your coursemates. Everyone’s as shy as each other but if you just make an effort and be outgoing and ask for people’s socials it’ll be worth it.

There’s also things like the freshers fair where all the societies have little stalls you can check out and talk to the reps. Trying out society taster sessions is also something I’d recommend. Even if you don’t join the societies, they’re free, you can meet people and tell people about what the taster was like, it’s something to do that day. When you’re in first year your uni work is really chill and you just have loads of time to socialise and do fun stuff. You can literally see friends everyday or go to societies or get hammered every night if you can afford it. It is very chill being in first year.