New students kick off TOP Week: ‘It’s still very new, but it will be fine’

Getting to know the study, Tilburg and especially each other. For the new first-years, the TOP Week started again on Monday morning with the registration in the Sports Centre.

First-year student Tom Buijsse is enthusiastic: ‘Yes, I’m really looking forward to this week. It is a fun week, drinking a lot, getting to know the study a bit and the city of course.’ Buijsse is from Maastricht and does not yet have a room. That is quite far to travel up and down. But that is a later concern: ‘First we are going to have a good party.’

Tom is going to study economics and business economics, just like David van Wersch, who is standing next to him at the Sports Centre: ‘I expect a great student time, in which we will meet new people and explore the city.’ Is there already a click between the two? Tom: ‘He’s a nice owner and we’re on the road for half an hour, so it’s still very new, but it will be fine.’

Less hot

Weronika Podwysocka looks fairly relaxed at the start of the week. As chair of the TOP Week, she has been working towards this all year. ‘In the beginning it always takes some getting used to, but it’s going well.’

This year, about 3,100 participants have registered for the TOP Week. According to Podwysocka, there are slightly fewer than last year. Two years ago, 3,700 students participated. The decrease is not unexpected, because fewer students are enrolled at Tilburg University.

But the morning is well attended, even despite the rain, says Podwysocka. It is good that the worst of last week’s heat is over, she thinks: ‘That’s less dangerous for students. In the heat you have the risk of overheating and sunstroke, but if it rains a little, you can always go inside.’

Asterix and Obelix

The mentors are already looking forward to it. Leon ten Elshof and Stan te Hoonte are dressed as Asterix and Obelix. “We have to be recognizable,” Leon says and he takes a helmet with horns out of his bag. ‘And if it gets too hot, we can also put on a nice hat.’ Stan agrees: ‘It is fun for the kids who join if you are dressed up as a top parent. Then you can be a bit crazy.’

Programming changed

‘We have changed the program a bit this year,’ continues TOP chairman Podwysocka. ‘On Wednesday afternoon, we are organizing Move and Groove on the sports fields. That is a new part of the program from twelve to six.’

Podwysocka: ‘At the entrance of the Sports Centre we start with lunch and then the students can get to know all the sports associations. They organize all kinds of big games and activities. And you can also get a drink at the bar and chill out a bit with the music. We are curious and see how that catches on.’

Nervous

Sanne, Lieke and Valerie are going to study psychology. They think it will click with this group: ‘It has to be,’ jokes Sanne van Noorloos, ‘we have no choice.’ ‘We don’t do social studies for nothing,’ Lieke van Schijndel adds with a laugh.

They do not know yet how the week will go, but they are happy with their new mentor group: ‘I think this really helps, so that everything is a little less exciting,’ says Sanne. ‘So that you don’t feel completely nervous on such a first day, where everything is new anyway.’

Lieke: ‘I am actually not prepared at all. I still have to arrange all kinds of things for the lectures, and I thought I had two weeks left. So, it helps that you already know people.’ Valerie Zoetmulder thinks so too: ‘Now you can text each other, so you don’t feel like you’re all alone.’

Not just partying

According to TOP chairman Podwysocka, this year’s introduction week is not just about partying. ‘We try to bring a balance to the offer. For example, we have created a chill zone at the festival, where you can isolate yourself from all the hustle and bustle and loud music. Because not everyone needs just partying and drinking. It may be a smaller group, but it is also important to offer an alternative programme.’

And on Friday afternoon there is another well-known closing event on the program: swimming. After a busy week, the brand new students can cool off in the water at Arbie’s Beachhouse in Berkel-Enschot and recover from all the parties.