Posted on Fri 05 Sep 2025 at 09:54 by
Anthony Foster We call it Welcome Week. Some call it Freshers Week, Induction Week or Orientation Week. But where did all this madness start? Here are Five Facts About (Edinburgh Napier) Freshers Week!
INITIATION RITUAL WEEK
In medieval universities in Europe, like Oxford and Cambridge, new students were subjected to initiation rituals when they arrived. As early as the 13th century they were often playful but could be quite harsh. In 'university policies' of the time there is mention of prohibiting mistreatment of students.
FRESH MEN
When I say 'students', I mean 'freshmen'. Freshers is short for 'Freshmen'. At the time this meant 'new man' at University. Hence why fresher seems a little outdated in the modern world and Welcome Week sounds far more acceptable.
Student Societies existed first, before Student Unions, many of them independent of the University.
BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTS
By the late 19th and 20th century students went we have had enough of this nonsense. Following the creation of the first 'represetative body' - the Student Representative Council of Edinburgh University in 1884 British University student unions started to organise more structured social events to welcome students. Yes, we have been doing this for over 100 years (or over 50 years in Napiers case)! Student Unions started arranging 'Freshers Fairs' which had stalls were societies recruited members, dances and socials. Our Welcome Fair is the biggest in Scotland with over 150 stalls including societies, sports clubs, uni departments, commercial companies and freebie plus the Students' Association is on Thursday 11th September. Get your tickets here Welcome Fair
WEEK LONG INDUCTION
After World War Two we see the expansion of higher education and the evolution into a week long induction. Student Unions, who determine policy on who can access students on campus, started to get smarter and raised significant funds to pay for their activities from commercial companies such as Dominoes and Odeon (this became so profitable it even led to large companies such as Native to do it on our behalf). Social events such as parties, gigs, pub crawls, sports clubs and society sign ups were joined by informational sessions about student services. Yes, the Universities came late to the party as the term 'Freshers Week' stuck. The Napier Pub Crawl has been an institution now since 1989. Now in it's 36th year all new and returning students, mature students and post grads can join in the fun. Tickets here
MODERN DAY WELCOME WEEK
Facebook started in the Uni sector, bringing all information from departments together, but as the social media giant changed emphasis so did induction weeks as Universities began to understand the need to communciate to students. Welcome Week is a rite of passage that now includes academic inductions from meeting tutors to registering for classes. As mobile phones and text messaging meant students had less reliance on a meeting place like the students union there is also focussed social integration from nights out, welcome fairs and volunteering opportunities. They have become more safer and inclusive offering alcohol free events, wellbeing sessions, campus tours and anti initiation policies. Since being formalised by students for students Welcome Week has become a stuctured, supportive induction into university life blending academic orientation with social bonding and making friends for life.
WHAT NEXT
Welcome Week is about to adapt again as we prepare for students who have grown up with mobile phones, tablets, smart devices, chat bots and now AI. From data we now know it takes 16 weeks for students to adapt to their new surroundings. So we have introduced Settle In Week with events, some of which have been in Welcome Week. These include book and clothes swaps, meeting the student presidents (always useful), Part time Job and Volunteering Fair (always good to prepare for your career with Careers and Employability as soon as you can!), Advice Drop Ins, Yoga, Walking tours, surfing and other taster sessions from sports clubs and societies. Find out more on page 15 of your Welcome Week Guide.
And don't worry, you have another 14 weeks to settle in. The Students' Association will be with you every step fo the way. Find out more on our website here and a big, warm welcome to Edinburgh Napier University.
TONY FOSTER
ENSA CEO