Ranking the wildest college fresher events at York, from the absolute worst to the best

With Freshers’ Week done and dusted (and everyone recovering from flu), it’s time to look back at all of the fresher itineraries and officially name the best and worst college. Everyone knows that your experience of Freshers’ Week determines your opinion of your college, something that lasts your whole three years here at uni. You wouldn’t think that the events vary between colleges that much, but they really do. This is the true sign of how fun your college really is.

From cabaret nights in D-bar, to movie nights in lecture theatres, to Langchella (who thought of this), here’s what each college got up to this past week.

10. Derwent

@derwentcollege

We love our concrete jungle #derwent #uoy #uniofyork #derwentcollege

♬ Empire State Of Mind – JAY-Z

Derwent’s evening activities started strong but slowly went downhill through the week. Sunday night saw a live band perform at D-bar followed by karaoke – I can’t imagine that second part went down well. Tuesday was a bit of a wild evening at Derwent. There was a Bob Ross paint-a-long in D-bar, a club night at Revs, and a movie night in the common room. Lots to choose from to be fair, but Revs on a Tuesday night is not the one. The college also put on a cabaret night, Cab D, for new students which seems really random but from what I can find, this is a tradition at the college! They really do stick a D on the end of everything.

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Onto daytime activities and Derwent had a real mix here. They had the obvious compulsory ones like welcome talks and the classic college merch sale, but a few crazy ones too. Rounders on the church fields? I would have loved to see this in action, it definitely has caused some early flat beef. Wednesday was a slightly bland day over at Derwent with jacket potatoes in the morning and Unity Health registration in the afternoon. Nothing going on in the evening, which is a bummer.

9. James

@jamescollegeuoy

The petting zoo at The Lodge was so cute! #freshers #jamescollege

♬ original sound – 4-Box

James’ timetable looked pretty well organised. They had a good mix of morning, afternoon and evening activities; including making door signs (fun) and a planet ABBA evening which sounds right up my street. James is living up to their reputation as a sporty college here with a yoga session, sports fair, and a big game of rounders (is this becoming a common theme?). Don’t reckon downward dogging with a bunch of people I had just met would have appealed to me as a fresher if I’m being honest…

Thursday seemed like a great day over at James College with friendship bracelet making in the morning. Making something you can keep forever is such a cute idea, even after you fall out with the people you made them with. Then, there was the James petting zoo in the afternoon. I have so many questions. From the picture on their Instagram it looks a like a goat, some sheep, and a pony. What a mix!

After their club night on Sunday, James held a hungover brunch on Monday morning. The free brunch was one of my favourite parts of college life so this gets a thumbs up from me.

 8. Alcuin

Alcuin’s next and they seemed to go for quality over quantity. Kicking off their week with a movie night and games evening, they are clearly going for cosy vibes. Alcuin had a few nights out – no Salvos but they did hold a Revs night, a bar crawl, and a pub quiz at the Vanbrugh Arms. Plus, on Tuesday night there was a festival held at Alcuin, which actually seemed quite lively.

The Kitchen at Alcuin is the college’s resident coffee spot so it makes perfect sense to have a social here. Carrying on with the cosy vibe, there was a Mario Kart night on Tuesday for anyone who didn’t fancy the Jalou bar crawl. Finally, there was a crafternoon on Wednesday afternoon and a LGBTQ+ social in collaboration with Goodricke. Hope you enjoyed the trek to East guys!

7. Goodricke

Ah Goodricke, my college. Remembering my Freshers’ Week sends a shiver down my spine to be honest. I got locked out in the rain more times than I can count.

Goodricke began the week with a Revs Sunday! I am shocked. How hard did you have to fight for that Sunday slot?

There wasn’t much happening on Monday morning or afternoon but the night saw a quiz being held at the Glasshouse. A great chance for Goodricke freshers to try the bright green college cocktail. Daytime activities seem to be sorely lacking over at Goodricke, compared to the likes of Langwith and Constantine. There was a York city tour and merch sale to attend though. The shot glass painting activity on Tuesday seemed like a fun way to get everyone in the mood for pres before heading off to Yates that night. The college also dit its classic outdoor inflatables and games evening. This sees big slides, bouncy castles, and other games put outside the Nucleus near Janet Baker Court.

6. David Kato

@david.kato.college

Paula, your slay deputy college manager, understood the assignment 🫡 #uoy #york #davidkatocollege #slay #genz

♬ Elevator Music – Bohoman

Being one of the new colleges on campus, some may say that Kato is still finding its feet. They don’t really have any college traditions so Freshers’ Week is the perfect time to set some in stone. Lets see what they got up to (other than a bit of committee drama).

A shit shirt and sangria night? Okay Kato, you do you. This was followed up by a Revs club night. There was also a lego competition on Monday – I’m now curious who won? Tuesday saw Kato freshers hit the town as saints and sinners on a themed bar crawl. It’s giving Halloween a month early, but at least you won’t lose your new flatmates in town. DogSoc headed over to David Kato on Wednesday morning – what a wholesome way to start the day.

I’m realising that Kato love a themed night out. Thursday was a British icons clubbing night. This a great theme and I think I would have gone as Ginger Spice! They also had drag bingo and rainbow cocktails going on that night so plenty to do if you can’t conjure up a British icon costume from your suitcase.

Friday night at Glasshouse for the Kato freshers was a Frat party? I’m guessing this included red solo cups and beer pong. Perfect excuse to get some food with your new pals and play some cheesy games.

5. Halifax

Halifax have a great freshers timetable to be honest. There’s 100 per cent something for everyone here and the week is jam-packed. When are the Halifax students unpacking?

Painting a plant pot seems like a fun idea and definitely something you can have as a keepsake when you inevitably move into Tang Hall next year. Just one small question – do you get a plant with the pot or do you have to get the soil and things yourself? There is also a Jazz night and poker evening on the cards at Halifax. Very fancy. Followed by Yates. Less fancy.

Wednesday seemed like a great time at Halifax. Starting the day with toasties (a uni staple), then going on a charity shop tour of the city. Love it, get those bargains guys. There was a pub sports afternoon on Thursday with things like darts and pool being played. This screams Halifax. On Friday night the Halifax freshers headed over to Courtyard for drag bingo (amazing). There was also a ghost tour of the city happening on Friday, starting at the Minster. Spooky.

4. Constantine

@constantinecollege

congratulations to our glasshouse quiz winners. look after the connie teddy!! 🩷🧸🥇

♬ Lobby Music (Original Soundtrack) – Kahoot!

Connie next with their aesthetically pleasing freshers timetable. With a total of four club nights, I’m hoping the new Constantine students came to York with a fully stocked first aid kit to help with those hangovers.  The first was at Vudu with an under the sea theme. Then a dress as your degree night. Feeling for the people who take business. Freshers’ Week isn’t the place for a pantsuit, let’s be honest.

There was also a social at the Moxy Hotel in town. Does anyone else find this random? Never heard of a uni event taking place here but loving the pink decor, very on theme.  There was less happening for those who aren’t a fan of drinking but still some fun Freshers’ Week activities. Connie cinema for one, which has to have been playing Barbie. Surely? Another charity shop trail seems to be popular – leave some stuff for the rest of us guys.

3. Anne Lister

@anne.lister.colle

Just some Anne Lister College Freshers 2024 highlights🫶 #annelistercollege #uniofyork #freshersweek #freshers2024

♬ HOT TO GO! – Chappell Roan

There was no college that had as many events on as Anne Lister. If I talked through everything on this timetable, we would be here until Freshers’ Week 2025. Let’s have a look at the highlights. Starting off with pancakes on Sunday. Perfect food to start your Freshers’ Week and an amazing way to judge your new flat mates based on their topping choices. Anne Lister literally loves a food based event, perfect for Freshers’ Week. There were waffles being served on Wednesday morning and then a pizza party in the afternoon.

Then straight into a collab club night with Vanbrugh – I can hear the chanting on the bus still. Tuesday saw a murder mystery event take place. This is so intriguing, there’s not a lot of details on the timetable so I’m going in kinda blind here. Did someone play the victim? Just lying on the floor for the full hour?

Here is quickfire of some events which were put on at Anne Lister during Freshers’ Week. Bracelet making, Revs club night, four ghost walks, bingo, board games, a 2000s theme club night, tote bag painting and an ice cream buffet. Anne Lister committee are working over time for real.

2. Vanbrugh

@vanbrughcollegemerch

twin with us in your vanbrugh merch #vanbrughcollege #merch #uniofyork #twin

♬ made for me – ᜊʚ(ᥣᥲᥡᥣᥲ’s ᥎ᥱrsі᥆ᥒ)ɞᜊ

Second place is Vanbrugh! Vanbrugh has an advantage with having the Vanbrugh Arms on their doorstep. The best place to go and get to know your housemates while playing a few games of pool. This college also had a fair few events off campus, giving its freshers a good chance to explore the city throughout the week.

Vanbrugh also has some collaborations going on with the uni societies. The Tipsygate readers went to Vanbrugh for a book mark-making session on Tuesday evening. DuckSoc also headed over on Tuesday for a feeding the ducks on campus social.

Vanbrugh had some really cool live music events (of course) going on during Freshers’ Week too! There was a secret garden jam on Sunday evening and then a Vanbrugh rocks event on Thursday. Overall, Vanbrugh smashed the Freshers’ Week timetable, giving their freshers a whole mix of things to do throughout the week!

1. Langwith

@langwithcollege

POV: Dress as your first letter of your name Langwith Freshers Style #langwithcollege #york #uniofyork #freshers #yorksu #langwith #university #freshers2024

♬ original sound – Langwith College [Official]

No surprises here! Langwith has a long history of having amazing Freshers’ Weeks and this year was no exception. Langwith had at least two events to choose from everyday and they all seemed to be popular on its Instagram. On Sunday, Langwith freshers went to the York dungeon – this seems like a great bonding experience. This also gives freshers an idea of what their shared kitchen will look like in approx three days, so that’s helpful.

As a founding college, Langwith has a night out dedicated to being one of the OG colleges on campus. On Tuesday though, things went in the opposite direction as the Langwith freshers went to Revs for Langchella. I have to give props to whoever thought of this, there’s no doubt the first years won’t be forgetting it anytime soon.

Other activities included going to the Minster (classic), a baking competition, and a roller disco. Overall a good mix of things to choose from. Well done Langwith, how about a ferris wheel at Langchella next year yeah?

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