By Arundhati Gupta | Events Editor

As the dust settles on campus and the reality of 9am lectures finally sets in, it’s time to look back at the absolute whirlwind that was Freshers’ Week 2026!! From navigating Freshers’ Fair and browsing the vast array of amazing societies, to stumbling through the Wednesday sports nights and Union parties, this year’s intake has truly brought the energy.

Whether you survived on pure adrenaline or spent the week hiding in your room unpacking boxes, here is our breakdown of the biggest moments, best turnouts, and standout events from the past seven days. Imperial’s official welcome kicked off at the Welcome Fair as crowds of freshers (easily identifiable from a mile away by their bright glowing lanyards) slowly eased into the glorious chaos of university life.

● Mums and Dads Night: A classic, this wholesome tradition paired our anxious fresher (“babies”) with experienced second mentors (“parents”) for an evening of local pub crawls, icebreaker games, and invaluable survival tips on how to conquer the terror of studying at Imperial.

● Boat Party: The next day, our freshers traded dry land for a boat cruise down the Thames, dancing the night away and mingling under the crisp night time air, trading stories over drinks, and taking in iconic late night views of the London skyline.

Societies & Sports: Finding Your People

If the nightlife is what wakes you up, Fresher’s Fair is what keeps you grounded. This year’s fair at South. Kensington was one of the busiest on record, featuring over 380 student led clubs. There is genuinely something for everyone: from baking to muay thai, from academics to culture, there are so many amazing communities that you can get involved with!

● Taster Days/Trials: Freshers had the chance to “try before they buy” at taster sessions across the week. Spotlight on ICSM Ladies’ Hockey trials: what an amazing day! With such an impressive turnout, the pitch buzzed with high energy and raw talent as a massive crowd of keen freshers stepped up, some picking up a stick for the very first time, and others brushing up their competitive edge. There was so much to try, it was so nice to see you all get stuck in.

● First Sports Night: On Wednesday, our ICSM sports societies brought chaos, gathering for a night of bizarre sports games governed by secret rules, (diabolical) initiations, and (cough cough trauma) bonding that turns teammates into lifelong friends. After an evening of drinks, laughter and memories, the night wrapped up with everyone heading down to Embargoes to boogie the night away.

And There’s More…

Not every highlight required strobe lights and earplugs. For those looking for a gentler introduction to university life, daytime and sober friendly events were a massive hit.

● Reynold’s Disco: We all gathered back in Reynolds for a creative secondary school-themed night of glowsticks, throwback tracks, and mingling that brought out everyone’s inner child.

● I’m a CC: Friday night was our Club Captains’ night – a high stakes evening of friendly (and fiercely competitive) rivalry down at Reynolds, where sports club captains went head to head and showcased some very unique secret talents. A massive congratulations is in order for our very own ICSM Ladies’ Hockey CC, Diya, who stormed to victory and took home the crown!

● RAG Jewellery: On Saturday, RAG hosted a lovely jewellery making session, which offered a wholesome, crafty escape where our freshers could sit back, chat, and mingle while crafting handmade pieces.

● Dodgeball: And for our Finale for the first week…DODGEBALL! The week went out with a bang (and a few poorly aimed. flying balls) in a fierce, super fun game of dodgeball. Channeling peak playground nostalgia, the afternoon was packed with high energy, endless smiles, and some surprisingly competitive bonding.

Lets count up the Numbers

● 380+ Student societies represented at the Freshers’ Fair.
● 200+ Freshers spotted wandering around with bright red lanyards permanently stuck to their necks
● 50+ Pint glasses mysteriously relocated to student bedrooms.

Looking Ahead: Surviving Week 2

Just because Freshers’ Week 1 is wrapping up, doesn’t mean the calendar is slowing down. If you’re looking to keep the momentum going as you transition into your first official week of term, here are a few standout events you won’t want to miss:

● Ice Skating: On Monday, trade the sticky club floors for the ice rink! Whether you are a professionally trained figure skater or constantly on the verge of falling and breaking your leg (and ego), this is the best excuse to meet new people, break the ice (haha) and mingle!

● The Legendary Fulham Palace Run (FPR) & Heaven: The iconic medical school pub crawl returns in full force! Expect waves of students trading lecture notes for classic scrub bottoms as they hit local pubs on FPR before heading straight into central London for a massive, student packed takeover at the legendary Heaven nightclub

● Puppy Welfare Sessions: If your post Freshers blues are kicking in and you’re missing pets from home, take a wholesome breather. Keep an eye out for campus wellbeing pop ups featuring therapy dogs, offering the ultimate stress relief cuddle sessions!

Now that the free society merch has vanished and the timetable reality check is starting to arrive, just remember that everyone is in the same boat. Whether you’re still figuring out where your lecture hall is or
you’ve already found your lifelong best friends at a sticky club night, welcome to Imperial.