17/09/2026
Maggie Morland (Bateson) 1972 starter, Charlotte Mason College... has shared her Fresher's Week memories
I remember my first day in 1972 vividly. I felt so lucky to be living in such a beautiful place, which I knew well from many family visits during my early life.
My room was at Hilltop above the art department and I had to share it with two other girls, which was very strange after having my own room at home. However they were friendly and we got on fine. As I had very little money, I started a paper round in the village, meaning I had to get up very early. This wasn't popular with my roommates, so it didn't last long!
I remember being quite intimidated by the third years, as they all seemed so grown up and aloof, and of course they were all female. Male students had only been introduced the year before my cohort. However, I loved the freedom of being more in charge of my own life after living a very sheltered childhood and teenage years, and the huge opportunities I could see opening up ahead of me.
In the first week I joined as many societies as I could, including outdoor pursuits, geography, Christian union, choir, etc etc. we had some wonderful outings, including kayaking on Windermere and a flight from Blackpool airport, to view the Lakes from a very different angle.
The street lights were turned off at midnight every night and I'd never seen so many stars or been anywhere as scarily dark as the streets of Ambleside were then. Walking back from the JCR at Scale How up to Hilltop in the dark wasn't easy without a torch.
Can you remember your first days at college/Uni? Share your memories in the comments below....
