Uni prospectuses are full of pictures of students hugging, laughing and high fiving their way around campus. Don't worry - it's not as hard as it seems. In this guide, we'll talk you through how to conquer your fears and make friends at uni.
How To Make Friends at University
Uni prospectuses are full of pictures of students hugging, laughing and high fiving their way around campus. And it’s true that once you settle in, you may find lots of likeminded people. The sorts of friends that will be there alongside you not just for the parties and pizza nights, but through exam anxiety and even out the other side into the big wide world.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Before this happens, someone needs to break the ice, and it might as well be you. However, when you’re upping sticks from your childhood home and moving to a new city, meeting new people can feel a bit daunting.
Don’t worry - it’s not as hard as it seems. In this guide, we’ll talk you through how to conquer your fears and make friends at uni.
Make friends in your halls
If you’re a fresher arriving at uni, your first stop is probably student accommodation. This could be your first experience of living alone, and your new housemates will be in the same boat. Here are a few ways to make a good early impression.
Introduce yourself
Okay, let’s be real; almost no one is 100% comfortable with introducing themselves to new people, especially if you already feel nervous. But when you arrive at halls, biting the bullet and saying hi to your new housemates is a great idea. Remember, they’ll be just as nervous as you, and they might appreciate the fact that you spoke first. Early brownie points.
To double down on your brownie points, be kind, chatty and helpful. Helping people with their bags from the car, offering them a cup of tea and asking them about themselves can all help calm those early nerves.
Hang out in common areas
Being a regular in your communal spaces is a great way to connect with people. For one, it makes it easier to make conversation. You won’t need to knock on doors to say hello or wait to bump into people in the corridor.
But the kitchen, games room and seating areas have perhaps an even more crucial function. It’s these communal spaces where you and your housemates will hatch plans for the evening, watch Netflix and embark on a six-way collaborative spag bol. Don’t be scared, be there to chop the celery.
Play games
Games are a great way to break the ice, even with a housemate you don’t know that well. If you’re a dab hand at poker or have an unmatched lap on Mario Kart, why not set up the console, deal out the cards and start a game?
Before you know it, you could be laughing, crying, and cursing the very name of the same housemate you barely knew just a few minutes before. If someone doesn’t know how to play, no problem - you can teach them.
Invite people along
It’s always a great feeling to make friends, but don’t lose sight of others.
Some people may struggle to socialise, be anxious, or could even come from a different background to the rest of the house, which could make it harder to settle in.
So, if you’ve broken the ice and made plans with people, remember to invite others along too. Making friends is all about karma - one day, the universe may reward you.
Make friends on your course
Of course, uni ’t just about housemates and halls. You’ll also have your lectures and seminars to think about - and that throws a whole lot more new faces into the mix. Here’s how to go from course mates to study buddies to besties.
Ask for, and offer to help
When you start your course, it’s a good idea to think in a similar way to when you arrived at halls. Introduce yourself, be kind and help people out. So, if someone’s forgotten a pen, don’t begrudge them your spare.
You get the idea. But it’s these little things that can make all the difference.
Join relevant social media groups
You might be looped into social media groups for halls, courses or faculties before term starts. They’re a great way to meet new people and join conversations, especially if you’re a bit nervous about striking up IRL conversations.
Sit next to people in lectures
It can be nerve racking walking into a crowded lecture theatre, and it’s understandable to make a beeline for the quietest possible area and stare at your phone.
But being bold can pay off. Remember, you’ve automatically got shared interests and common ground just by being there. And if you sit next to someone early, you could make friends fast - bonding over your shared confusion of how you could possibly be expected to read three books in a week.
Form a course study group
If you’ve found a group or a person you gel with on your course, starting a study group can be a great way to cement your friendship. You can meet up in the run ups for exams, or if you have a joint project or presentation.
Don’t be afraid to take the initiative here - getting the ball rolling and forming the group yourself could boost your confidence. It’s also a great way to get to grips with uni life and learn tricky stuff like referencing and library systems, together.
Ask people to join you
So you’ve finished your lecture - now it’s time for the debrief. If you’re heading for coffee, lunch or to the library, why not ask people to join you? It can be a fun way to discuss the lecture, clear up any points you didn’t quite grasp, and discuss your lecturer’s appalling choice of shirt. Plus, your course mates will appreciate you making the first move.
Make friends out and about
Uni life doesn’t stop on halls or in campus. Here’s how to make friends at university societies, around town, and everywhere else.
Join societies
Your uni will probably host hundreds of different societies, helping people from all sorts of backgrounds, interests and hobbies find kindred spirits.Joining in is a sure-fire way to find common ground. Head to the freshers’ fair and see what you can find. If you can’t find a society that suits you, why not start one yourself?
Join the queue
The British love to queue, and it’s a great place to strike up a conversation. When you’re queuing up for the bus, canteen or Student Union bar, don’t be afraid to say hello to the person next to you.
Be the friendly face you want to see
Whether you’re on campus, in halls or just hanging out in your new city, being a friendly face always pays off. Before you know it, people will recognise you and break the ice themselves.
