32.6% selected “A bit dreading it”. 30.2% selected “Nervous but ready”; 27.9% selected “Really excited”; and 9.3% selected “Mixed feelings”.
How all 43 respondents answered
Respondents selected one answer from four options.
Percentages are based on the published response counts. Where whole-number percentages are shown, totals may differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Feelings about the new academic year are closely split
A narrow lead for dread
32.6% said they were a bit dreading it, just ahead of the other two main answers.
Most are ready or excited
58.1% (25 of 43) said they were nervous but ready or really excited.
Three answers within five points
“A bit dreading it” (32.6%), “Nervous but ready” (30.2%) and “Really excited” (27.9%) were all close.
Mixed feelings at the start of the year are normal
Starting or going back to university brings a mix of excitement, nerves and practical pressures, from money and housing to workload and friendships.
This poll suggests students are split almost evenly between dread, nervous readiness and excitement. That makes the first weeks of term an important time for wellbeing support, settling-in events and clear information about where to get help.
How to report this poll accurately
Keep the response base and indicative audience label attached to the headline finding.
How this poll was recorded
- Question
- How are you feeling about starting or returning to university this September?
- Responses
- 43 total responses
- Date recorded
- 7 October 2026
- Collection
- Unifresher audience poll
- Evidence label
- Indicative first-party Unifresher audience poll
This is an audience poll rather than a population survey. It is useful as a snapshot of the respondents who took part and should not be described as representative of every UK university student.
Questions readers ask next
What was the most common answer?
32.6% selected “A bit dreading it”, making it the largest answer in this poll.
How many respondents chose the top answer?
14 of 43 respondents selected “A bit dreading it”.
What was the second most selected answer?
30.2% selected “Nervous but ready”, equal to 13 responses.
Is this representative of all UK students?
No. This is an indicative Unifresher audience poll with 43 responses, not a nationally representative student survey.
How should this result be reported?
Keep the 43-response base, collection date and indicative-audience label attached to the finding.
Explore more student attitudes
Cite this poll
Unifresher poll, “How are you feeling about starting or returning to university this September?”, 43 responses, recorded 7 October 2026. Unifresher Data Hub.
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