Education:A New Start

Freshers’ Week 新生周 
The UK has a well-respected higher education system and some of the top
universities and research institutions in the world.
But to those who are
new to it all, it can be overwhelming¹ and sometimes confusing.
October is usually the busiest month in the academic calendar.
Universities have something called Freshers’ Week for their newcomers.
 It’s a great opportunity to make new friends,
join lots of clubs and settle into university life.
However, having just left the comfort of home and all your friends behind,
the prospect² of meeting lots of strangers in big halls can be nerve-wracking.
Where do you start? Who should you make friends with? Which clubs should you join?
Luckily, there will be thousands of others in the same boat as you worrying about
starting their university social life on the right foot. So just take it all in slowly.
 Don’t rush into anything that you’ll regret for the next three years.
Here are some top tips from past students on how to survive Freshers’ Week:
- Blend in. Make sure you are aware of British social etiquette³.
Have a few wine glasses and snacks handy for your housemates and friends.
- Be hospitable⁴. Sometimes cups of tea or even slices of toast can give you a head start in making friends.
- Be sociable⁵. The more active you are,
 the more likely you’ll be to meet new people than if you’re someone who never leaves their room.
- Bring a doorstop.
Keep your door open when you’re in and that sends positive messages to your neighbours that you’re friendly.
So with a bit of clever planning and motivation,
Freshers’ Week can give you a great start to your university life and soon
you’ll be passing on your wisdom to next year’s new recruits⁶.

GLOSSARY 词汇表
well-respected 
受尊敬的
academic calendar 
大学年历
newcomers 
新生
nerve-wracking 
让人伤脑筋的
in the same boat 
同一情况
take it all in 
全部吸收
social etiquette 
社交礼仪
handy 
手边的，近便的
doorstop 
制门器
passing on your wisdom 
传授经验
 overwhelming 
不知所措
Freshers’ Week 
新生周
settle into 
适应
prospect 
前景
on the right foot 
好的开始
blend in 
融入
hospitable 
好客的
a head start 
有利的开端
motivation 
动力
recruits 
新人

1 overwhelming   

adj.势不可挡的，压倒的，无法抵抗的

参考例句：

• The flood was overwhelming and the city was soon drowned.洪水来势凶猛，很快这个城市就被淹没了。
• The act was adopted by an overwhelming majority.该法案以压倒多数通过。

2 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

3 etiquette   

n.礼仪，礼节；规矩

参考例句：

• The rules of etiquette are not so strict nowadays.如今的礼仪规则已不那么严格了。
• According to etiquette,you should stand up to meet a guest.按照礼节你应该站起来接待客人。

4 hospitable   

adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的

参考例句：

• The man is very hospitable.He keeps open house for his friends and fellow-workers.那人十分好客，无论是他的朋友还是同事，他都盛情接待。
• The locals are hospitable and welcoming.当地人热情好客。

5 sociable   

adj.好交际的，友好的，合群的

参考例句：

• Roger is a very sociable person.罗杰是个非常好交际的人。
• Some children have more sociable personalities than others.有些孩子比其他孩子更善于交际。

6 recruits   

新兵( recruit的名词复数 )； （机构中的）新成员； 就业； 人才开发

参考例句：

• A corps of doctors arrived to inoculate the recruits. 一队医生来给新兵打防疫针。
• The recruits are exercised every day in the art of self-defence. 新兵每天训练自卫技能。