You've arrived. Unpacked, un-parentally-supervised, and, no doubt, unnerved. You've just about made it to the kettle in a desperate bid for a cup of tea, but now Number 34 has offered you a biscuit and you realise conversation must begin.

Fear not, frightened fresher. Look on those pub outings, prelashes and communal cups of tea with excitement, because ttudentbeans.com is here, bringing you nine nicebreakers - nice ways to break the ice in those first few days. Because, while nakedness and 'just vodka' are frequently suggested to banish the awkward turtle, we think you're better off taking advice from your mum... and just being nice.

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1. Fancy a cuppa?

This wins hands-down, every single time. A sure fire way to earn you some serious fans, becoming your kitchen's human coffee machine means both churning out cups of tea and coffee by the dozen, and getting a whole lotta lovin in return (not like that, we're still breaking the ice here!).  

Don't fret too much about Josh having 3 sugars, no milk, and Jenny preferring half a spoonful and more milk than water, just put on a big grin, rummage around for some mugs and proudly announce you've put the kettle on.

2. Stop that door!

Saucepans? Check. Teabags? Check. Posters? Check. Doorstop? Er... Hadn't thought of that. But, while a doorstop might be the last thing on your mind, it just might be the first thing to make you friends, quite literally opening a door to conversation. If you wedge the door of your room open for a couple of hours each day, it shows you're easygoing, friendly and happy to chat - the ultimate way to break the icy exterior of a shut bedroom door.

3. Ready, Steady, Cook

Cake-baking, dinner making, and a good old fashioned cook-off - the kitchen is the perfect place to forge new friendships and banish any lurking awkwardness. Try baking a batch of brownies to offer round or leave on the side with a 'help yourself' note (be sure to add a smiley face - you'll be amazed how much more relaxed the atmosphere will be around the place).

Alternatively, go the whole hog (pun intended?) and cook dinner for or with the whole flat - it will be cheaper, more fun, and certainly bring you all together - team-work style. Divide into two teams or have two people battle it out for the title of Best Chef for added fun.

4. Pre-prelash Pizza

And, because somehow food just makes people bond, why not order in Pizza? Ideal before a night out, often cheap, and always tasty, get the whole flat involved. What's more, getting people to write their names down next to their order can really help out with the whole name-learning business - really the ultimate icebreaker. 

5. Dutch Courage

Once the last slice of pizza has been munched, chances are the party's about to really begin (excluding when the party's just finished, leftovers-style). As any good student knows, there's nothing better for lessening nerves than not realising they're there - and a few drinks will help this along beautifully.

Kick-start a drinking game like Ring of Fire and make it as physical (ooer) and ridiculous as possible with rules such as Shark Attack (jumping on your chair every time the chosen person shouts 'shark attack!') or Gecko (running and sticking yourself to the nearest wall whenever 'gecko!' is heard). Trust me, you won't have time to be nervous.

6. Fancy Dress

So chances are, when the drinks come out, the ice tends to melt... But why not give it even more of a helping hand with some classic, ever-hilarious fancy dress? Because its much harder to worry about not knowing someone's name when they're dressed as Buzz Lightyear. Or, in my flatmate's case, a toilet seat. Don't ask. 

7. Boycot the Party (just for one night)

So you've gone at it pretty damn hard for a solid week. Probably to the point where your sleep-deprived eyeballs water involuntarily every 8 seconds, you've developed a nervous twitch every time dub-step comes on and you've sworn never to touch alcohol again more times than you've called your mum. By now everyone's gagging for a night in. And what better way to properly bond? Without the screams of foam-covered freshers and vibrations of bass, you'll be surprised how much easier it is to, well, talk.

8. Single Sex Bonding

Just like boycotting the party, single sex bonding is a great way to chill out amongst the freshers madness, and is a perfect one-off way to spend your evening. Because, while mixed sex chilling is fantastic, sometimes the easiest way to really break the ice in a social group is to split into girls and boys, add a couple of cocktails and bottles of nail polish/beers and the Inbetweeners, and indulge in the gender stereotypes that normally annoy us so much. 

9. The Beauty Of Coincidence

Luckily for you, as far as icebreaking goes, coincidence is on your side: chances are, someone else comes from London/went to Reading 2011/has family holidays in Cornwall. Ben , Manchester Metropolitan University President, could not agree more. "The best icebreaker is finding a place or a gig you've been to and acting like that makes you best friends. 'I'm from Huddersfield' 'Oh my god I have friend from Huddersfield!' 'Do you know the train station?' 'I was literally there last week!' 'Thats SO weird!' Works every time...."

Get discounts and freebies at The National Online Freshers' Fair - all years (Domino's, Urban Outfitters, Warehouse, Greggs...and masses more!)

• Take me to freshersfields.com for discounts and free stuff