Stay active, Make friends, Thrive at University
It’s been a week. Freshers’ Week can feel like a whirlwind. One minute you’re strolling through Freshers’ Fayre with what feels like everyone trying to talk to you and get your attention. The next you’re in a lecture theatre surrounded by more people you don’t know yet.
The good news? The best parts of University start after Freshers’ Week.
Find your people
If Freshers’ socials weren’t your thing, fear not; many students make their closest friends through shared interests rather than big nights out. Sport is often the easiest and quickest way to:
- Meet people
- Improve your mental wellbeing
- Create routine
- Reduce homesickness
- Feel part of the University community
Joining a sports club, social sport session or fitness class gives you the chance to see the same faces at the same time each week. If you’ve been to Give Me Sport, you’ll know your next steps for sport. But if you didn’t attend, it’s not too late to find your people. If you’re interested in joining a Sports Club, reach out to the club and ask about a taster. The best way is through Instagram; all their accounts are linked on their sports club web page. You’ll be able to try the sport and get involved before the Sports Club membership deadline in October.
Seeing the same people every week will make conversations and friendships happen naturally.
Find your feet
It’s going to take some time to find your feet. University buildings, your halls, your timetable, the library, the support services available. You’re not expected to know everything or have your routine nailed in week one. Use health and fitness to anchor your days. The benefits will get you through the good and the not-so-positive days:
- Boost your energy levels
- Reduce your stress
- Improve your sleep
- Support your mental health
- Create your own structure
- Create a routine you can control
Even a 30-minute gym session, fitness class or swim can help you feel more energised, focused and connected during your first few weeks and into your first semester. If you need support, there is always a staff member at Ravelin Sports Centre you can talk to.
Find your way out of the dip
It’s normal to feel the “post-Freshers’ Dip”; the Fayres have finished, the big Freshers’ parties have ended, the excitement fades, and the next chapter begins. Your studying era.
You may feel homesick, overwhelmed or unsure where you fit. Everyone is in the same boat, and second and third years have been through it. So surround yourself with those going through it, and those who have got through it. Sports clubs are the best way to find that mix of people, with an interest shared with your own.
You don’t need to say yes to everything. Getting enough sleep and taking time to recharge will help you enjoy uni life more than trying to do it all. Aim for somewhere between 6-8 hours of sleep each night to function optimally. It’s not going to be possible every night, but try to get your hours 4-6 days a week. Set yourself a doomscroll downtime, so you switch off and put your phone down to get to sleep.
Three things to do after Freshers’ Week
- Attend a sports club session
- Book your next gym, swim or fitness class on the UOP Sport App
- Invite someone from your halls or your course to join you
Start strong at Ravelin Sports Centre
Our Student Annual Early Bird membership is on sale until 30 September, saving you 25%.
Find out what other students think
Sport at the University of Portsmouth | University of Portsmouth
Sport at Portsmouth is more than just sport itself, make friends for life, find your place and stay active. Whether you are currently play, train or compete at any level or have never put on a pair of trainers our 35 sports clubs have a place for you. Sport at the University of Portsmouth is so much fun, just hear what some of our students think.
Abbie
The best part of playing sport is the sense of community that you have.
Ben
The amount of friendships you make is just awesome.
Leah
You become literally like a little family.
Carolina
So many different cultures, so many different people. It's like a second home.
Alfie
It doesn't matter what ability you are. We've always got space for everyone.
Carolina
We start with a beginners level, a development level and then our competition level.
Ben
It's not just about competing, it's about getting the best out of yourself, which for me is what really drives me.
Barney
Give Me Sport is a fantastic weekend where you have three days where you can try out any sport you want.
Josh
It really does open up a whole window of opportunity.
Alfie
You meet friends. It is a really great way to socialise in your first weeks of university. It's just a really positive experience.
Leah
As soon as I set foot into that trampolining centre, I was like, oh, I like the environment, I love all supportive people here and I love the sport. It was so nice to just try something new. It's that time where you can make mistakes and learn new things and why not give everything a try?
Abbie
The facilities that we have at the University of Portsmouth are amazing and ever-growing.
Ben
Ravelin is a state of the art leisure centre.
Alfie
We've got squash courts,
Barney
swimming pool,
Leah
sauna and steam rooms,
Barney
gym,
Alfie
sports halls,
Leah
strength and conditioning
Barney
and classes.
Alfie
I just couldn't ask for a better sports facility.
Leah
Training is an amazing escape sometimes from the stress. I have some days where I have a really long library session, I can go to training here in Ravelin and then go straight back to the library and it just completely refreshes me.
Carolina
Having sport alongside your studies allows you to relax.
Lily
It's a bit of a break away to meet your friends and have some fun.
Carolina
Take a moment to not think about anything else.
Josh
There's always lots going on. Each club will have a different event every week.
Carolina
We go out to Purple Wednesday, where everyone dresses up in a particular theme and then we all shout very loudly and have loads of fun.
Leah
But then we also do karaoke nights, game nights and we have a monthly quiz.
Carolina
We also have Varsity, where Portsmouth competes against Southampton in all of the sports here at the university.
Lily
There are chants, shouting and screaming.
Alfie
We're going to beat Southampton. (Cheers)
Lily
If someone is new to the university and thinking about doing sport, I'd say 100% do it. It's the best community you can ever be a part of.
Barney
It will give you great memories, it will improve your university life and make you meet friends.
Ben
The sense of achievement that you can have from it is fantastic.
Abbie
I was really nervous to do it and now that I've done it, I am a completely different person and it's made my university experience so much better.
If you need help
Don't be shy about asking for help. Across the University, there is support for you everywhere. In Ravelin Sports Centre, we have gym inductions, programmes and personal training. If you want to swim but can't, swimming lessons will get you there. We have instructor-led fitness classes; simply follow along. If you want to go the extra step, courses and workshops are designed to boost your skills in Yoga, nutrition and a whole host of other activities - perfect for balancing the student nightlife.
Across the University, our fantastic Student Services cover you for anything you may need. Get to know what's available, in case you need them.
Enjoy the process. You'll remember it for the rest of your life.