Be a role model

When you are wearing the buddy T-shirt, you represent your institution. New students will see you as someone safe and reliable when everything is new, and they will turn to you — even in difficult situations. Take the buddy role seriously.

Be available

Do not take on more responsibility than you can handle, and be available for your group and other buddies.

Stay informed

Familiarise yourself with the start-of-studies programme, and know where new students can direct their questions so you can refer them to the right place if you are asked something you cannot answer yourself.

Attend events in groups. If unwanted incidents should occur, you will be able to look after each other or call for help.

Help ensure that students who are new to the city do not walk alone, as it can be easy to get lost.

As a buddy, it is your responsibility to include everyone. Pay extra attention to those who are shy or tend to keep to themselves. Some may only need a simple “hello” to feel safe.

Learn the students’ names and use them. Take initiative to organise icebreaker activities that everyone can take part in.

Be aware that many students arrive at their new place of study alone and do not know anyone in the city. New students expect you, as a buddy, to help them get to know each other, the institution, and the city they will be studying in.

New students have different wishes and expectations. Be open to input from your group and adapt the programme to their needs. Make sure you have other options for those who, for example, do not drink alcohol have dietary needs.

As a Buddy, you can help create a safe group where it is ok to say "no" if you there is something you are uncomfortable with.

Four out of five students think that parties are more fun if there is alcohol involved. At the same time, three out of five students think there is too much alcohol in the student community.

The pleasure centres in the brain are most stimulated with a blood alcohol percentage of between 0.05 and 0.1. That corresponds to 2-3 glasses of wine or small beers for women and 3-4 for men. If you are drinking pints of beer, you will have reached your ‘optimal buzz’ when you start sipping your third pint.

You can keep track of your ‘optimal buzz’ at RUPissed? 

• Eat when you are drinking alcohol and do not drink on an empty stomach.
• Surf on the buzz from the drink you just had before you open a new one or buy more.
• Remember to drink water! An added bonus is less of a hangover.
• Do not down your beer when the group leaves for the next place. Just leave it.
• Look after your friends, check that they don't do anything stupid, and that they are safe.
• Stop drinking alcohol when you are having the most fun.

Respect other people’s decision not to drink alcohol. Prevent people from being pressured into drinking.

Sex is a natural part of life and should be enjoyable and safe. It may be wise to take some precautions before engaging in sex:

• Make sure that this is something you genuinely want. It's okay to change your mind.
• Consent should be present before engaging in sex. A person who is excessively intoxicated, asleep, or unconscious cannot consent to sex.
• Use appropriate protection for casual sex. Remember that only a condom protects against sexually transmitted infections.

Finally, 40% of all reported rapes occur in connection with parties. Be a good friend and speak up if someone is losing control or crossing boundaries. If someone is a victim of assault, go to the nearest sexual assault center. They provide free medical assistance and counseling. You don't need a referral and can go even if you're unsure about what actually happened.

Many new students are nervous about starting their studies. Adult life, a new educational institution, a new city, new accommodation and many new people can be overwhelming.

As a buddy, you must be a decent fellow human being. That means that you must be kind and talk to new students if you see that someone is struggling, but you are not supposed to be an amateur psychologist. If you see that someone needs more follow-up than you can give, suggest that they should to seek help.

Obtain an overview of the support services that are available at your educational institution, e.g. adviser, counsellor or Student Chaplain. The Student Welfare Organisation of Oslo and Akershus also offers health services.