O Week is a crazy busy week jam-packed with activities and events to introduce you to that #unilife. It can be pretty overwhelming, especially if you feel like you’re not prepared for the week at all.

Fear not, all you innocent freshers. We’ve put together a list of essential things you should always have on you during O-Week so you don’t feel caught off guard.

#1 A Big Bag

Probably the best part about O-Week is all the free stuff that gets thrown your way. You’ll get pens, you’ll get discount cards, you’ll get cans soft drink. Hell, you might even be lucky enough to get a pint of ice cream!

All those freebies are gonna be hard to carry without a decent sized bag to put them in. You don’t want to have to turn away something awesome because you can’t carry it.

#2 Water Bottle

Australian summers are pretty damn hot which means walking around campus all week in that disgusting heat will dehydrate the hell out of you. Especially because you’ll already be super hungover from the night before.

The last thing you want is to get hit by heat stroke so make sure you keep a water bottle at all times to keep those fluids up.

If you want to go the extra mile, carrying around a little spray bottle filled with water is another great idea for when you need a quick cool down.

#3 Pen And Paper

As much as we all like to believe that O-Week was designed as a week-long party, it’s actually supposed to be an introduction to the next level of your studies (I know, we were just as disappointed as you are).

You’ll be attending lectures about the courses you’re about to undertake, and it’s important to take notes so you’ll feel prepared. Don’t get stuck without pens and a notebook.

#4 Phone Charger

You’ll be using your phone all day to navigate around your new campus, collecting your new mates’ Facebook details, and taking pics of all the weird and wonderful things happening around campus. Don’t be caught off guard if/when it goes flat. It’s a good idea to always carry your charger with you.

Even if you don’t end up using it, it might come in handy for someone else. That’s one way to make friends.

#5 Cash

Clubs and societies are a great way to make uni friends, and O-Week is the main week they recruit new members. Membership is often a cash-only payment, so it’s wise to always carry some cash on you.

Not only that but always having cash on you will mean you won’t have to spend time searching for an ATM on campus when you’re already pressed for time.

#6 Sunscreen

As I said before, you’ll be spending the majority of O-Week outside exploring your new campus. The sun has got a nasty bite to it this time of year, so remember to slip slop slap.

If you want to double your sun safety, it’s also a good idea to wear something with sleeves. You don’t want to be looking like a bright red tomato during the first week of classes.

#7 Comfy Shoes

Most of O-Week is spent on your feet. If you’re not used to standing for long periods of time, your feet will be killing you by day two.

Ensure you always wear solid, comfy shoes that you know you can stand in all day. Maybe also avoid wearing new shoes, because no one enjoys blisters.

(Lead image: Legally Blonde/The Creative Foundry)