David Saunders
Freshers Week has long been sold as a seven-day blur of cheap shots, neon wristbands, and dancefloors sticky enough to take your shoes hostage. But this year’s crop of university starters are rewriting the script.
According to new research from Snapchat, the classic nightclub crawl is losing its pull, with nearly two-thirds of students saying they’d rather bond over a shared hobby or group activity than wake up with a headache and a dodgy kebab wrapper.
The survey of 1,000 first-years reveals a generation feeling equal parts excited and anxious as they step into their first taste of independence. While more than half admitted to nerves, the overwhelming theme is clear: finding “your people” matters more than pounding shots in a basement bar.
When asked what they most look forward to, almost half of freshers ranked making friends and finding new communities above sampling the local nightlife. In other words, friendship is the headline act this Freshers Week – not the club promoter in a fluorescent t-shirt.
Why Students Are Choosing Friends Over Foam Parties
The research shows a shift in what young people actually want from university life:
- They’re more likely to meet people with shared interests at clubs and societies.
- There’s less pressure to drink or pull an all-nighter.
- Bonds formed at these activities are stronger.
- Conversations are more genuine and less surface-level.
- Group activities are less overwhelming than crowded nights out.
In fact, the majority of students say building a like-minded circle of friends is their top priority, with many seeing those connections as a lifeline not just for fun, but for emotional support when things get tough.
Group chats and DMs have become the glue that keeps those friendships alive, second only to phone and video calls home when homesickness kicks in.
From Shots to Snap Runs
If the old symbol of Freshers Week was the bar crawl, the new one may well be a pair of trainers. More than half of students say they’re most interested in sports clubs and fitness-based meetups, with running clubs leading the charge.
Spotting the shift, Snapchat has unveiled Snap Run Stars, a new Freshers initiative designed to bring students together through a shared love of movement. Partnering with running influencer Savannah Sachdev, the app will host inaugural run clubs in London and Manchester on 8–9 October.
Sachdev knows first-hand how sport can transform student life: “Starting university is such an exciting time, but finding your people can feel overwhelming. For me, keeping up my passion for movement during uni helped me so much, because I realised how social sports could be. I didn’t get involved to be ‘good’, I just showed up to have fun!
Having a chat with mates or meeting new people through sport, whether that is running or another form of movement, became a massive part of my uni life, and still is today. This is exactly what we’re aiming to foster with Snap Run Stars, supporting freshers in making friends in a chilled, low-pressure setting.
It’s about connection, good vibes, and finding people who are into the same stuff as you. Who knows, you might just meet your bestie.”
Jake Thomas, Head of UK at Snapchat, echoes that sentiment: “For many young people uni is a defining life chapter and a time when lasting friendships are made. This study shows the importance of meaningful friendship and connection for Gen Z – something we see on Snapchat every day, from sharing silly, fun moments from their day with friends, to staying connected with family when they’re apart.
With Snap Run Stars, we want to celebrate the importance of friendship both on and offline, and can’t wait to bring our community together in London and Manchester to mark this next chapter for new students across the UK.”
Where to Join
Snap Run Stars kicks off in London’s Battersea Park on Wednesday 8 October, followed by Manchester’s Mayfield Park on Thursday 9 October. Tickets are free and available via Eventbrite at this link.
So as Freshers Week 2025 rolls around, it seems the hottest ticket in town isn’t the nightclub wristband, but a free run in the park. The hangover-free mornings may just be the bonus.
