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So your results are through and you're heading off to the University of Warwick (which is actually in Coventry...) in a few weeks. Congratulations!
Your Freshers' Fortnight might be starting a week or two later than other universities, but honestly, it'll be worth the wait. From campus to the local town of Leamington Spa, here's the low-down on what you'll come across and how to make the most of your time at Warwick University.
University of Warwick
You'll judge everyone on the halls they live in(01 of10)
As you'll have no other question to ask new students aside from "what do you study?", you'll immediately judge people on where they're living on campus. Friendly competition will arise from an event in Freshers' Fortnight called Hall Wars - if you live in Westwood, the furthest halls away from central campus, except to be taunted the most with chants like "go back to Tesco". But you can laugh in their faces because what they don't realise is that they'll have to carry their shopping further than you. (credit:University of Warwick/Facebook)
Walk across the piazza to encounter the weird and wonderful(02 of10)
Whether it's a society performing or a business promoting, most days you'll come across something completely unusual on the University of Warwick piazza. As well as picking up freebies and entering competitions, you can sit outside and have a couple of drinks in the summer (well, you can in the winter too, if you're feeling brave), and watch all the big programmes and events on the giant television screen. (credit:University of Warwick/Facebook)
You'll live in the Terrace Bar(03 of10)
One of the focal points of the Students' Union and right next to most of the halls on campus, the Terrace Bar will become your best friend (or worst enemy for your bank account and degree) because it's so easy to just pop there for a drink... or ten. Try one of the Union's signature pints of purple, or sit on the balcony in the sunshine and watch something on the big screen. (credit:Simon Cocks/Flickr)
Costcutter will become your saviour(04 of10)
With 24-hour opening seven days a week during term time, if you really can't be bothered to walk all the way across campus to Tesco then Costcutter is handily right by the Terrace Bar for late-night snacks. Beware of buying your dinner here every night though - your student loan won't last forever... (credit:Lars Plougmann/Flickr)
As will Curiositea... And the Bread Oven(05 of10)
One thing you'll have to accept when you go to university, regardless of whether you actually like coffee or not, is that you'll need a lot of caffeine to get you through a day of lectures after a big night out. Curiositea is the perfect place to wake yourself up with a wide selection of drinks suiting the time of year, and gorgeous vintage decor. And if you fancy a posh Subway, the Bread Oven is your place. (credit:Zach "Pie" Inglis/Flickr)
Head to the Arts Centre for a productive break(06 of10)
With excellent concessions on the productions and a mixture of both professional and student shows, you can not only afford to support your friends in their performances but get a little extra-curricular education while enjoying yourself. Make sure you check out one of the University's most iconic pieces of artwork too, the Koan, which lies outside the Arts Centre and even has its own parody Twitter account. (credit:University of Warwick/Facebook)
Learn how the library works(07 of10)
Don't wait until second year before becoming acquainted with the library - book yourself into an orientation tour during Freshers' Fortnight and embrace its five floors with your entire academic life (you'll probably get free stuff, too). There is plenty of study space to choose from but during exams you'll need to be savvy to get a seat, so make sure you're up early to beat the crammers. (credit:University of Warwick/Facebook)
Do something a little different(08 of10)
There are more than 250 societies at Warwick's Students' Union so join one which is a little bit unusual. Whether you decide on a unique sport, something random like the Cheese and Chocolate Society or something completely crazy like Warwick Jailbreak, there's definitely something for everyone. How cool would it be to go home and tell your parents you've started archery or pole dancing? (credit:Ben Gun/Flickr)
Head out into the local town of Leamington Spa(09 of10)
Affectionately known as "Leam" to second- and third-years alike, this town is where most Warwick students choose to reside after they move out of halls, so make sure you go and check it out. A number of bar crawls will probably take place here, ending either at nightclub Smack at the top of the parade or Kelsey's bar down at the bottom, home to jukebox tunes and a mysterious cocktail called an "Eliminator". You can judge that one for yourself. (credit:Ian Halsey/Flickr)
And finally... make the most of it!(10 of10)
It sounds obvious but you'll probably only be at university once, so make sure you get the most out of it. Whether it's helping at the Students' Union, joining a sport or society, or doing work experience that makes you happy, allow yourself that time alongside your degree to do extra-curricular activities. You'll have a more rounded experience as a result - and don't forget, go out with your friends and have fun, too! (credit:Nick-K (Nikos Koutoulas)/Flickr)