The fresher. Often talked about, perhaps rarely understood? For those who have not experienced such a way of life; or indeed, for those who experienced it some time in the distant past (ok, parents), the activities of this particular branch of the student body are something of a mystery, an enigma and a well kept secret.

Now, with a new term and a new seething mass of specimens to choose from, one man is preparing to wade through the excesses of cheap vodka, wild parties and impromptu sexual liaisons, to shed some light on this undergrad phenomenon and meet some freshers.

Tom Thurlow is his name. Catapulted fame-wards by the well received ‘Hollyoaks on the Streets’ – the Bebo hosted docu-show, which amassed over 150,000 views in its first weeks. Tom will be presenting and producing this exciting new project through his new production venture, Teen Star Inc.

Every Friday from 19 September, Tom will be heading, unannounced to a university near you – microphone in hand – to engage in his intrepid, irreverent style of the vox pop with the nation’s first years and their exploits.

‘Meet the Freshers’ – a deceptively bland name for a less than bland series – will encompass 16 universities across the UK, kicking off with Heriot Watt in Edinburgh. Tom will have his work cut out, with his great exposé seeing him march from Ulster to Uxbridge.

To mark the onset of the series, Bebo are offering you a little musical freebie to beef up your playlists. All you have to do to receive 15 selected free tracks from the ITunes store is become a fan of ‘Meet the Freshers’ – registering an account on Bebo first of course … if you don’t already have one! Artists available to download include: The Courteeners, Ladyhawke, Spiritualized and One night Only.

The new academic year is upon us. Tom will be there. They will be there. We will be there. How about you?

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