First years arrive in their hundreds

Orientation week, or O-Week is the start of university life for first year students where they meet lecturers and new people before the real work begins.

"There's a steep learning curve and we want to see students stepping out of their comfort zones and embracing the community we have here," O-Week leader Michaela Hogan said.

Naturally O-Week is full of learning, but it's not all about hard work just yet.

"We're looking forward to meeting all the O-Week students and making them feel welcome," fellow leader Hannah Morriss said.

While hundreds of students will arrive today, more than 350 on-campus students were welcomed yesterday.

Jemima Jones is a fourth year veterinary student and a "head resident" for self-catered students.

Miss Jones will be joined by three other head residents, Luke Kissane, Shannon Farrell and Rhiannon Dally, 33 residential advisors (RA) plus O-Week leaders in helping first year students transition to student life.

"University is some of the best days of your life and it goes so quickly, we want people to not only enjoy themselves, but to take advantage of the academic opportunities," Miss Jones said.

Helping getting the balance right between fun and study was crucial and one of the jobs Miss Jones and other RAs had signed up for.

Yesterday's welcome for on-campus students was about making the first year students feel safe and welcome, Mr Kissane said.

"It's a wonderful opportunity, nobody knows anyone else - everyone's in the same boat," he said.

"We try to make it as fun and engaging as possible.

"Uni life can be hard, you won't make it through without friends," he said.