Autumn has creeped up on us once again, and it’s time for a new semester to get rolling. You know what that means, right? Our campus will be filled with new names and faces! Now that their first week as English students is over and orientation week no more than a memory, I asked some of our freshmen for their opinions and experiences. Here’s what Sirja, Sante and Monika had to say…

First things first, congratulations on getting into the University of Helsinki! How have you found it in these first couple of weeks?

Sirja: Thank you, I’ve absolutely loved it! University’s an amazing experience and I’m sure I’m going to enjoy each and every minute and minutiae of it, even the hard parts.

Sante: Thanks! I’ve loved it here so far. Everyone has been very helpful and friendly.

Monika: Thank you! I’ve been having a good time so far. I’m still quite confused with everything, but feeling great nevertheless.

The confusion is understandable and will pass in time, don’t you worry. Glad to hear that you’ve otherwise started on such positive notes! Before you started your studies off, though, there was orientation week. How was that? Any highlights come to mind?

Sante: Orientation week was great! I got to meet a lot of my fellow freshers and that was pretty amazing. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend two of the events our tutors arranged, but I’d have to say playing Bumtsibum on Thursday was the highlight of my week!

Monika: It was so much better than I expected! Everyone was so nice and friendly, and the activities we had were so much fun. I really enjoyed everything that I attended, so between Sublympics, Amazing race and Bumtsibum I can’t really pick a favourite.

Sirja: Oh, orientation was a great preview to everything, but it’s over now. Let the work begin, say I!

I love that attitude! Lectures have indeed now started, and you’ve had some time to get used to everything. Have you found a favourite course? Or a favourite subject?

Sante: I have, actually! My favourite course is spoken English.

Monika: I haven’t really found a favourite yet, but maybe I will during the following weeks!

Sirja: I have enjoyed lectures and found everything interesting, but maybe translation is closest to my heart. So, I suppose my favourite course would be contrastive text analysis.

Oh cool! Thankfully English philology is a wonderfully diverse field to study and work with. A little bit of everything for everyone. Having said that, have you guys thought about your other studies at the university? A minor subject, perhaps?

Sirja: Well, I’m interested in music, film and television studies, and I have considered all of those subjects as my minors. We’ll see what happens.

Monika: Ahh, no, I don’t really know yet. And to be quite honest, I haven’t really given other studies much thought for now.

Sante: I’ve been looking around for interesting courses and subjects. I haven’t really made up my mind yet, but I’ll keep my eyes open.

That sounds wonderful. You have time to think and try out all kinds of things before you make that decision. Do you have any expectations regarding university in general, your own studies or perhaps parties and interesting clubs?

Sirja: I’m looking forward to joining faculty and subject organisations once I’ve found a good balance between my life at the university and my life at home. Once I get that figured out, I’ll have more time for all kinds of activities!

Sante: While I expect my studies to take up most of my time and a significant amount of energy, I’m also looking forward to student parties. Doesn’t hurt to crack open a cold one every now and then.

Monika: I’m expecting a lot of work and some more confusion while I still get adjusted to all of this. But I’m sure that with time, I’ll get the hang of everything! I’m also eagerly looking forward to the Fresher Adventure and other activities, such as sitz parties!

Great! Can’t wait to see you around then. Now, do you have something to say to your fellow freshers? Some tips, words of encouragement, or a greeting?

Monika: Plan ahead and schedule your weeks! Being and staying productive is a lot easier that way, at least for me.

Sante: Talk to your fellow freshers. Ask for help, there’s no shame in that. And definitely chill out on the weekends!

Sirja: We’re all in this together!

Thank you, I’m sure your tips will come in handy. And finally, before I let you go, here’s a scenario: you’re on a deserted island, but you know that help is on the way. You have three things to help pass the time, what are they?

Sirja: To me, books seem like the perfect way to pass time on a desert island. I’d take the best combination of books: a sudoku book I got back in 2020… Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, and just so that I have something less scary than the previous two, a collection of love poems called the Best-Loved Poems.

Monika: Oh, I’d definitely take my PC, a sketchbook and some pencils!

Sante: A cooler full of beer, a beach chair and a good book.

Wonderful, I’d love to be stuck in a deserted island with any of those at my disposal. Especially the beach chair sounds like a great thing to have with you. Maybe with a table for the PC?

Now, thank you Sirja, Monika and Sante for sharing your experiences with us, and good luck with your studies! To quote Sirja, or a certain musical, we’re all in this together!

Photo by Robi Vuokko