Evening freshers. Hope you are well. Today was the first day of preparation for Freshers’ Week – all the Freshers Reps are now back and raring to go for your arrival on Sunday (or Wednesday if you are international!). We’ve spent the day painting and decorating, so the college will be fully decked out for your arrival. A few of you on the facebook group have been asking about arrivals. Do not worry about a thing – Freps in yellow t-shirts will be there to greet you and look after you. They will greet you at your car, help you register, get your key and move you into your new home. All you have to do is turn up. The Freps are itching to meet you and welcome you to Butler, so hopefully you are as excited as we are right now!  If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask on the facebook group, or drop me us an e-mail (william.kendall@durham.ac.uk or sophie.hammill@durham.ac.uk).Until then, make sure you make the most of mummy’s cooking. See you on Sunday (or Wednesday) -look forward to a big welcome!!

Will and Sophie x

Head Freshers’ Week Reps 2011

Here are a few of the things that our Freshers' Week Reps wish they'd known before arriving. They'll be posting some helpful hints over the upcoming weeks, so watch this space...

Don’t buy all your books before you get here.  Whilst some background reading wouldn’t go amiss, textbooks can prove quite pricey, so look out for any opportunity to save money!  The University library stocks a massive range of books – and if they don’t have it then you can request it.  The library up at Butler stocks the core textbooks for most subjects, and if we don’t, then you can also request for us to purchase it.  It is worth shopping around because you can often find textbooks cheaper online, but a Waterstones Card can save you money throughout the year if you are a frequent customer.  The Waterstones in Durham also has a second-hand section (albeit limited) where you can purchase core textbooks at a reduced rate – this is also a good opportunity to sell your books back to them come second year.  Keep an eye out at Freshers’ Fair for 'cheap books for charity'. Plus if you're nice to them, your college parents may be able to sell you their books for a few pennies...

On the subject of books, keep an eye on the due dates of library books.  Each book can have a different loan length, so make sure you get your books back on time, as those fines soon add up.

Fancy dress is pretty popular in Durham, not just in Freshers’ Week!  Themed events are a massive part of Durham nightlife, so it will probably be worth bringing along any piece of fancy dress you have lying around.  Dust off those fairy wings and stick them in the back of the car!

Despite a popular misconception, Durham is not in fact a tropical paradise (as the Freps from the South will tell you). Whilst the conditions are hardly South Pole-esque, it is worth making sure you pack plenty of warm clothes!  Us freps were both surprised and overjoyed at the onset of heavy snow at the end of November.  Probably a good idea to bring some heavy walking boots or some wellies.  Oh, and a sledge./SPAN>

Cash.  Throughout Freshers’ Week there will be the opportunity to buy a wide range of exciting food – ask mum and dad for a few quid to make sure you are well fed!  Also, the washing machine and driers take 50p coins, and whilst you can get change in the bar, they quickly run out of 50p coins.  Might be worth making sure you have a small stock to take with you.

Hi guys,

Just a quick message to update you on a few things. Your Freshers' Week Packs have now been sent out, so expect them very soon! Included will be some advice on what to bring, some information on us and your frep team, and a Q&A about what Freshers' Week entails. There is also a bit of fancy dress advice! We have also posted out the JCR Handbook which has a mass of Butler and Durham related information in, so be sure to have a read before arriving. If you really can’t wait until they arrive then they are available online: 

http://www.dur.ac.uk/butler.jcr/prospective 

In addition, we’ve put up pictures of the Open Day on to the facebook group. If you attended, find and tag yourself! If you didn’t, it’s a good chance to see a plethora of photos of the college. If you still haven’t joined the facebook group, please do! Search for: Josephine Butler College Freshers 2011.

Finally, your college parents have now been assigned so you may well get an email from a devoted mother or father over the next few weeks. If not, don't worry, you will meet them soon enough. Your college parent is a second year Butlerite studying the same subject as you. They are there to advise you on modules, recommend the best tutors, and help with any problems you may have about your course whilst at Butler. They can even pass on to you a few of their old books...

On Monday 3rd October we are having an official 'Meet the Parents' evening. This is a great chance to get to know each other and quiz your parents about modules, prior to registration the following morning. The theme for the evening is of course....dress as your subject. Be creative!

Only a few weeks left now guys...

Will x

Feel free to email me if you have a question, or if you just want to chat about Butler: william.kendall@durham.ac.uk 

Well hello freshers (and anyone else who is so kind as to be reading this). This is my first time blogging so I apologise in advance for it being shocking.

Firstly I think we need to congratulate you all on your results. Well done! You are all a lot brighter than me and definitely smarter than Will. Hope you celebrate lots and enjoy these last couple of weeks of summer, you deserve it.

Will and I are your Head Freshers’ Week Reps for this year - meaning it's our job to organise an amazing week for you guys! We are very excited for your arrival and have been working very hard this summer to ensure you have the best possible start to your University days.

If you’re anything like I was at this stage last year, you will be experiencing a weird mixture of excitement and nerves. Focus on the excitement part because once you are here your nerves will be a thing of the past.

Anyway, before I get carried away with this blogging and talk any more waffle...have a brilliant week.

Email us (sophie.hammill@durham.ac.uk or william.kendall@durham.ac.uk) if you have any questions at all, no matter how big or small. If you haven’t already done so, make sure you join the Butler Freshers’ facebook group: Josephine Butler College Freshers 2011.

See you soon!

Sophie xx