Freshman Week Hull University By Mo

I'm 46 on Thursday, and it was my arrival at Hull University Freshman week today that finally buried the fact that I'm no longer a whippersnapper, and slowly rolling over the hill. Students Union building.

Look, when the local constabulary look as if they should be in nappies, it's time to come to terms with my own decomposition. The University was no different, given they were freshmen (and women), young, vital and bounding with enthusiasm, teaming around the campus. Main Entrance.

I haven't been around so many people in a long time, in fact it was 1980, at Sussex University in Brighton, that I last bumped into so many people, unable to avoid them in the rush to get from A to B. Still I remember the feeling of leaving home, bright eyed, bushy tailed and ready to experience the wonder that is university life.

It was my first visit to Hull University, a large campus dotted with magnificent 18th century buildings alongside state of the art modern architecture. Although, if like me you drive there, it's quite a hike from available car parking to the entrance itself as the area is choc-a-block with cars.

My invitation came from the "Newland Traders Association", representing the nearby shopping street to tempt the young students through it's thoroughfare of shops and markets, with a plethora of discounts on offer.

So with little ado I made my way through the university grounds, towards the Student's Union, without doubt the centre of activity housing a cafeteria, offices, travel agents and a bank. Bit like a small town in one building, a stunning architectural one at that.

The Freshman Fair was unsurprisingly in the middle of the Union building, so as any old trout would do, I flipped and flapped through the young students to my spawning ground. Students gathering, and queuing outside the Union building entrance.

With me my digital camera, notebook and a sack full of www.thisisUll.com leaflets, flyers and posters, I duly took up position next to the Traders Association stall. I was here to give the students an introduction to this website, maybe make them feel more a part of Hull on their arrival. Also though, and more importantly, to recruit new contributors, get a student's point of view of Hull online. continued below.

Freshman Week Hull University continued By Mo

Students were heavily laden with brightly coloured plastic bags, stuffed with leaflets and the occasional frisby. Even without any freebies on offer, I did my best to slip a leaflet in each passing hand, robotically held out like the mail collect lad in the office. Still it's fun getting stuff for nothing.

Behind me were http://www.cool-it.info an organisation devoted to student parties, I understand that their website launches soon and will have details. The Army, Nat West and the Blood Donor Group were there to get the students fit, wealthy and healthy, leading to me who would nab as many budding authors as possible to contribute to www.thisisUll.com.

Left to right: Adam, Johnny, Tom, Neeley, Lindsay, Mike and Ben

University of Hull celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, with 16,000 students from more than 100 countries engaged in the study of over 50 degree disciplines.

I did, fortunately, make contact with Jahan Pourzand, who takes care of the sound systems in the Union building; he put me in touch with Tori Wilkinson and Sian Harrison the President and Vice President of the Union. Well it's who you know as the saying goes. But if you do know them, buy them a beer (I'll owe you), and ask if www.thisisUll.com contributors can be found for us!

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