'Freshers'; my memories and a Floopy review!
My
little sis Floop ('Fleur' to some, I guess) is 19 and therefore at 'Fresher age'. However, her educational journey has had many
twists and turns, and she is actually about to start her
second year of A Levels. She plans to attend university in Australia, our second home. She recently visited our family down under and
checked out the uni she wants to go to, so naturally I lent her the
hot new YA 'Freshers' for plane reading to get her in the
mood and introduce her to the epic writing duo that is Lucy &
Tom!
[What
follows is a transcript of me pestering little sis for a mini review.
She was on the sofa under a blanket dozing at the time...I think she
might have activated her Fresher mode already, tbh]
So,
Floop. What were your general feels when reading 'Freshers'?
'It
was just really, like, real.
There was no sugar-coating of things, and all the characters were
really intelligent and witty as well. I think it's just a really
accurate portrayal of people that – my –
age, to be honest.'
Does
it make you excited for uni?
'Yeah,
for sure. It makes me excited for all the like, friendships and
social life and stuff. Not the drinking part – but like, making
really strong bonds with people? Because the friends that Phoebe made
in the book sounded incredible. They were really supportive and fun.'
Were
there any characters you didn't like
in 'Freshers'?
'I
hated Will, but everyone hated Will, so...'
Are
there any lessons you've learned from this story – anything you now
know to do or not
to do when you get to uni?
'Join
a Quidditch team, if there is one. Because it sounds pretty fun! I
already knew all the bad stuff about drinking. And I think this story
taught me that the friendships you make are more important than
finding a boyfriend or whatever – and those relationships are more
valuable in the long run.'
And
finally, what is your go-to hangover food?
'Toast.
With real butter. And orange and raspberry juice.'
There
we have it, folks. A little quick-fire question-type review of
'Freshers' – from a sort-of Fresher!
Being
a Fresher was a pretty gruelling yet magical experience for me.
I went out 4 nights a week, I was thrown unexpectedly into a world of
casual relationships, I lived off takeaway pizza, and I drank a sh*t
ton of fruity cider – and sometimes dirty pints out of welly boots.
I made friends for life, and enemies for longer. I had my heart
broken, my limits tested and my intelligence queried (not when I was
in lectures, though – more like when I was weeping and throwing up
cheap vodka in the SU toilets and then downing apple-flavoured shots
with frisbee teammates at the bar just minutes later).
And
y'know what? I wouldn't change a thing. In fact, I'd do it all again
in a heartbeat. Because in all honesty, graduate life ain't what it's
cracked up to be...
(Grace,
the Fresher. Complete with onesie and best friend's snapback cap)
If
you're like me and miss those carefree, mostly-inebriated days of
first year, then do grab yourself a copy of Lucy Ivison & Tom
Ellen's 'Freshers'. Or if you're yet to experience all this magic,
then maybe buy it to educate/prepare yourself?
Get the book at...
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