Cafeteria

The cafeteria is a deceptive time-waster, for the greater part of the lecturing year. Time seems end-less to the first-year student, but don't be deceived by the apparent amount of spare time that seems to be at your disposal, because a few weeks before the final examinations, which are terrifyingly formidable to most freshers, the syllabus seems suddenly to assume enormous proportions.

The fresher's first venture into the big, main library, is a gruel-ling experience. But the sooner the fear of the impersonally curious stare of the resolute, working at the tables, can be overcome, the better. The silence and the heat can become oppressive at first, but it is the only place in the whole of the university, where one can achieve really concentrated swotting. Only the lucky few can work in the common rooms, or out in the sun.

I found the common rooms full fascination at first. This fascination quickly palls. For those who can find compatible spirits, especially in the main commonroom, they could remain full of interest. The room is inhabited mostly by heavy smokers, and dedicated card players, who concentrate on bridge and five hundred, who constantly fail units, and a great deal of whom are no-hopers, merely spongers living off the fat of the land, and the gullibility and purses of their parents.

Don't be daunted by the slight stigma that is associated with the Word "fresher." In general, it is easily overcome, and is found mainly in the ranks of the second years. They can become intolerable with their Wordly-wise expressions and condescending attitude. The fact that the student is a fresher shoudn't make any difference to his progress in the social, cultural and sporting activities in and around the campus.