For thousands of prospective uni students, next week is A-level results day. Emotions are high as they eagerly await to hear back from their top pick uni's. But what does this mean for you, as a brand? Read on for a deep dive into Gen Zs feelings right about now - and for ideas on how you can align your brand with Freshers to drive results.

Are Gen Zs experiencing brain rot? 

78% of students use multiple screens at once and spend 7.2 hours a day online. Check out what students have to say about their digital habits and concerns, and learn why 'brain rot' might be a self-aware wake-up call rather than a genuine threat.

How Gen Zs’ shopping carts got a cuteness overload 

There’s a new Gen Z idol on the scene – and it goes by the name of “Amusable Croissant''. This cute cuddly toy has dominated wish lists since Christmas, and the hype shows no signs of slowing. But why? Read on to find out. 

It’s that time again…A-level results day 

If you went to uni, cast your mind back to waking up on A-level results day. How did you feel? Nervous? Excited? Terrified, even?! Well in just 1 week, on 15th August, 594,940 hopeful new students will be logging into UCAS at 8am, eager to see what's beyond the ‘show my results’ button..

Young people’s emotions will be high as they learn of their results - and, where they will spend the next 3+ years studying at uni!!

But despite the rollercoaster of emotions, applications have been steadily on the rise over the last 20 years - a trend that's set to continue, as Savanta predicts that Gen Alpha will have an average of two degrees under their belt.  

But, what does this mean for brands? Well, A-level results day marks the official countdown to the student population refreshing, as hundreds of thousands of new students will join returning students for Freshers, typically taking place in September. It’s at this time, that new students begin to enjoy their new found financial independence, and are open to discover new experiences, opportunities and connections - think new friends, brands to shop with, clubs and societies to try. 

Freshers itself is arguably one of the most cultural moments for a student. In fact, George, 19 from the University of East Anglia says “I think it’s the biggest cultural moment for students because it really defines that stage where you go from living with your parents and just being a child to “okay, I’m now independent, and I’m an adult, I have money.” 

At native, we manage Freshers Fairs at SUs across the country. Having enabled hundreds of advertisers to connect with students at their Fairs we’ve seen first hand how powerful a marketing opportunity Freshers really is. In fact, 81% of students come away from Freshers with purchase intent for the brands they have met. 

A-level results day and the impending Freshers period are monumental moments in Gen Z’s lives. Advertising at this time can also be a game changer for your brand’s performance. Students want to see you there - are you in?

A peek at what shaped the month for Gen Z students, curated from every corner of the online world. 

• Is the thumbs up emoji rude or blunt? Gen Z sure thinks so! Branding it as ‘hostile, Gen Z are calling for an end to the use of this much-loved emoji.
  
  
• With graduation a past memory, many recent grads are on the hunt for a job. But, they may find it harder than they think with 873 businesses complaining that older workers are facing problems when Gen Z employees are put in managerial positions. 
  
  
• Our latest research shows that 42% of students feel anxious in the first few days of uni, with 34% feeling overwhelmed. Here’s one way Gen Z students are coping. 

Accept no imitations. See all of the major campus events in A to Gen Z - the definitive student marketing calendar.

If you’re a brand or organisation looking to connect with Gen Z students, there’s no better place to start than Freshers.

But how can you take advantage of this seminal moment?

We recently sat down with some of our student media experts and asked them what advice they would offer brands advertising at Freshers 2024. Here’s what they had to say…