Buddies get ready to welcome Engineering freshers in September
First years arriving to study Engineering this autumn will get a warm welcome from a team of experienced students ready to support the newcomers in their first few weeks at the University of Southampton.
No question will be too trivial or absurd for the helpful undergraduates who have volunteered for the task; they remember what it was like for them to get to know new people and places, make new friends and embark on their studies.
Each of the ‘buddies' will be assigned around eight freshers, they will organise regular meetings to help out with any problems or issues and be available by email.
MEng Civil Engineering third year Will Hooper will be a buddy for the second time this autumn: "To start with, students wanted to know more about timetables, lectures, places to go and how to print. At the end of the year, they asked for advice on how to rent a house for their second year. We also made sure they know about all the societies - whether they are organised by Engineering or by the Students' Union."
MEng Aeronautics and Astronautics second year Umang Rajdev, an international student from Kenya, is taking part for the first time: "There is so much to learn, university life is very different from school and it will be good to pass on my experience. I valued the support of my buddy last year and we are still friends now."
MEng Ship Science second year Jack Gradus is also a new buddy: "It was good to learn the ropes quickly from an experienced student when I arrived and I'm looking forward to passing on the knowledge to the next year group. Even if you don't call on their help too often, it's good to know they are there."