As I walked by Glasgow University yesterday, the sight of hundreds of young people wandering around aimlessly with plastic bags evoked an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. Ah, Fresher’s Week.

For me, plastic bags will always symbolise this rite of passage. You get one thrust into your hand at every street corner and stall you pass, filled with stationery, flyers and vouchers you’ll never look at again, badges, t-shirts and baseball caps for societies, sports clubs, religions and political causes you will never join. Or you sign-up then forget, thus missing the one chance you’ll ever get to try the likes of potholing, kitesurfing, communism or Druidism.

You come out of supermarkets laden with plastic bags full of instant noodles, instant soup and instant custard. A few days later, when it transpires that instant food doesn’t agree with you after all, especially after 10 pints of cider, you fill these same plastic bags full of the clothes and/or bed linen you’re having to throw out following yet another “upset stomach” (which is how you describe the constant inebriation to your mum on the phone).

Looking back, fresher’s week is probably the most stressful seven days you spend at university. It’s far, far worse than final exams. Thinking back to my own pre-term blow-out more than 20 years ago, I can still recall the feeling of fear and panic that prevailed. I spent the whole time smiling manically, nodding enthusiastically at everyone I met, agreeing with opinions I despised, drinking cheap – often free - booze too quickly because I was so nervous. I was plagued by what I thought at the time were life’s big questions. What if no one likes me? What if the coursework is too hard? What if I get homesick?

I could see these same fears passing over the faces of the Freshers walking up University Avenue with their plastic bags yesterday. I wanted to put a comforting arm around them and tell them it will all be OK. Because it will be. Don’t worry, I wanted to say, you’ll eventually make the sort of proper friends that last a lifetime. And yes, you will be able to cope with the workload. In fact, you’ll probably be able to juggle two part-time jobs and still get your essays in on time.

Will you get homesick? Not as often as you think. But when you do, mum or dad will be waiting at home with a bowl of homemade soup and a hug.

So, enjoy every minute. And remember: what happens at Fresher’s Week stays at Fresher’s Week.