#surreyfreshers16

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Freshers’ Angels- Making Memories and Making a Difference

William Beckwith, 3rd Year, Aerospace Engineering (Undergraduate)

Dancing in the middle of the Students’ Union to the tune of Baywatch was clearly my calling, a wonderful icebreaker to begin another year at Surrey - such is Freshers’ Angels. Starting out armed with our yellow t-shirts in a team that soon became a rival to The Avengers. Early on Saturday morning, moving began and the hordes arrived and the Angels team named “Beep for Surrey” survived without ear protection - although I do not know how! New students arrived in cars with suspension sunk low to the ground under the weight of all they were carrying; some had suitcases heavier than people. Carrying said suitcases in some cases up nine flights of stairs has probably put off any likelihood that I shall feel the need to visit the gym for the rest of 2016. The moving in process did of course bring back memories, not only of my own moving in day, but of all the best memories I have at University as we guided the new students and their families into my own old rooms, and the old rooms of friends.

Clearly during this time emotions were running high, but being in a position to reassure someone and pass on those important pieces of information that either made my first years of university better, or that I wish I had known in those first months away from home, made being a Freshers’ Angel incredibly rewarding. Whether it be giving advice on using the launderette in the middle of the night in order to avoid queues or simply helping with directions around campus. Thanks to fantastic organisation the move in process was smooth and enjoyable. Even when small incidences occurred, such as a student or parent accidentally locking themselves inside of rooms and being unable to escape, they were quickly resolved and provided superb entertainment. On the morning of the Saturday I managed to do a quick dash around with my camera to take a few snapshots.

It was great to see everyone was getting involved and settling into the University of Surrey, both Freshers and Angels alike.

Here are some highlights from footage captured throughout the day

[surreyunion-blog]

The Journey to Surrey

Tanis Line, 2016 Fresher, Veterinary Medicine and Science (Undergraduate)   

Basically, I've always wanted to do veterinary medicine all of my life and I've had to jump through endless hoops to get to where I am now... GCSEs were great but I had to take a couple more to buff them up for Surrey during A2 Levels, my AS Levels were BBCD so I didn't think it wise to apply immediately in year 13 and so took a gap year, doing nothing but work experience from places such as typical vet practices to an abattoir, a lab in Watford, farms and even living in a camper van for a month whilst working at a zoo! In my last year of A Levels, I sat through a grand total of 17 exams and was able to get BBB (again, not veterinary standards...) Despite this, I was lucky enough to receive conditional offers from 3 different vet schools!

Surrey was the last one to hear back from and I did get a little impatient as it was 2 months after the others had responded to me that I actually heard back from Surrey... When I got there though, the atmosphere was so relaxed but it had a quiet enthusiasm which screamed to me that this was going to be something completely new. I left thinking that at Surrey I could make more of an impact and be part of something bigger, especially since it is the newest vet school and most open to feedback. As a university, Surrey seems to be one of those universities which cares deeply about its students and, as I walked around the campus, I couldn't help but see all of these "You asked _____, we did ______" boards everywhere. And the greenery too! I love the idea of feeling close to the city life but still being far enough away to actually have some peace and quiet in the countryside... But I could go on forever about that!

Results day for me is quite nerve wracking... Tomorrow is going to be the day I find out whether everything I've worked for is still within my reach... No pressure then, eh?

Cut to the 18th of August…

As it turns out Results day for me was relatively chill! The night before, I was really stressing out and doing everything I can to make sure I had the vet admissions numbers for both Surrey and my Insurance choice as well as the clearing numbers for both of them (there was one moment in the night where I saw that Surrey had the vet course on clearing and I drafted a whole plan on heading to collect my results early just in case I needed to call them!) I woke up at about 6 with only a few hours’ sleep just to go over everything with my family again when I get a text at 6:30 saying that I've been accepted into the course! I didn't quite register it at first but when I finally comprehended it, I sprinted (tripped is probably more accurate) up the stairs to tell them the good news!

My accommodation offer came through shortly after and I couldn't be happier with what I got! Band D in Manor Park! Apparently James Black is one of the busiest sections of MP campus so I'm going to be right next to the flat parties, the vet school and the sports park! There was honestly nothing I wanted more than to be close to all the action!

When it comes to freshers and moving in, I'm trying to keep on top of everything but every day there seems to be something else I have to do! Yesterday it was buying the fresher’s wristband and the accommodation induction, the day before it was sorting out the vet kit-list, tomorrow it's probably packing a fire extinguisher because my mum is overprotective! Jokes aside, I'm just really glad I've finally made it and couldn't be more grateful for my friends and family for putting up with a slightly quirky guy who, until now, didn't believe that his dream would come true. Bring on the next 5 years! I can't wait to meet all these new people and be part of something bigger!