• Arm yourself with paracetamol, cold & flu remedies, Berrocca, ibuprofen and vapour rub – anything that will counteract the inevitable fresher’s flu. Of course try and avoid it at all costs, but believe you me – it’s coming for you.

  • Try to stick to one type of drink all night – doing this will most definitely reduce the severity of your hangover the next day.

  • Stick to volumes you’re comfortable with – everybody has a different tolerance level so don’t try and compete with your flatmates, it will only end with your head hanging over the toilet all night and a pounding headache in the morning.

  • Look after each other – after all, these are the people you’ll be living with for the next year or maybe more, so try and look out for one and other.

  • Don’t be the drunken liability on a night out. Your flatmates won’t thank you for ruining their night by spending the whole night having to hold your hair up in dirty nightclub toilets.

  • Knock on the next door and meet your neighbours. It’s a good idea to try and meet lots of new people on your first week – going out in a big group is a lot safer and you’ll be less likely to lose everybody and find yourself stranded in a jammed nightclub.

  • Drink plenty of water – lots of booze daily can really dehydrate you so make sure you try to drink 2-3 litres a day and look after your body. Try peppermint or green tea to settle and cleanse your stomach after a night out, but my favourite is ginger tea/beer (non-alcoholic, obviously!) as ginger has naturally occurring anti-nausea properties. Great when you’re feeling a bit yucky.

  • Don’t be peer pressured into doing anything you don’t want to do. It’s okay to be cautious and careful, especially in a city you are unfamiliar with and even more so if alcohol is involved.

  • Be considerate of others around you – it’s an emotional and scary time for everybody.

  • One of the most important survival tips for freshers: EAT. I know so many freshers last year who just didn’t eat and skipped all meals (that is, besides a takeaway on the way home from a night out). Here are a few of the best foods to ease a hangover, and also those to avoid at all costs…

Best

Worst

  • Chicken soup: the salt will help you retain water and boost your hydration levels

  • Bananas: gentle on your fragile stomach whilst replacing essential nutrients, minerals and boosting energy

  • Tomatoes: the Vitamin C found in tomatoes boosts liver function which can only be a good thing!

  • Beans: great source of fibre to help your poorly and sore tummy

  • Orange Juice: the acids can irritate your sensitive stomach which could lead to vomiting

  • Full English Breakfast: Whoever made this the go-to food for a hangover must have been mad… all that grease from the bacon, sausages and fried eggs will only irritate your stomach

  • Cereal: lots of milk and dairy products is really not a good idea, the lactic acids again will upset your already upset tummy

  • Rather than going out every…single…night…try a flat night in with cooking up a big dinner for you and your flatmates – have a look at my blog from last year which includes lots of tried, tested and easy family dinners for you to try. Whack a film on, get cosy and chill out for one night!

  • Your student loan is not your fresher’s week subsidy. Remember it’s got to last you until January (!!), so be sensible with it.

  • Don’t be that flatmate that never made it out on fresher’s week because they drank too much at pre-drinks. You’ll never live it down.

  • Make the most of it and enjoy yourself. After all, you’re only a fresher once!

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