When you start uni, there are so many daunting aspects, from your courses to independent living and, of course, making friends. While some people may find it easy, I know many of us feel rather anxious when speaking to new people, and we may be a bit out of practice when it comes to knowing where to start.
But don’t freak out quite yet, uni is the best place for meeting new people, and there are tons of opportunities and events that make the process so much easier.
This guide will explain the best opportunities for making friends so you can start uni with one less worry.
1. Speak to your flatmates
Moving into student accommodation is a great way to surround yourself with new people. You’ll spend a lot of time with your flatmates, which can lead to some great bonds being made. For a lot of students, their flat can make up their main friendship group and lead to lifelong friendships.
One way you can open yourself up to a conversation is to leave your door open so anyone who passes by can see you’re open to talk. Or, better yet, go and sit in the kitchen, especially in the first days of moving in. At some point, all of your flatmates will need to use the kitchen, so use this opportunity to make introductions and begin a friendship.
Having friends you live with means you can walk home from nights out together and do your food shops, and it can make those conversations about ‘who didn’t take out the bin?’ a little less awkward.
While this is a top way of making friends, it’s not the end of the world if you just don’t seem to be getting along. There are plenty of other opportunities to meet new people.
2. Join a social media group before you start
It’s not uncommon for universities to set up social media accounts to help students find each other. Sometimes, students set up group chats themselves.
This way, you can begin the friendship-making process before the term even begins. You can even find or make accommodation group chats, course group chats and flat group chats.
You can start finding the people that you have a lot in common with and begin planning your move-in, freshers’ week and downtime together.
3. Go speak to your neighboring flats
Since you’re in a flat full of students, why not knock on your neighbors’ doors? Just say hi and maybe even ask if they want to hang out.
You could even do a housewarming-type gathering and invite all the flats on your floor. Slide flyers under the door, and I’m sure you’ll have a great response.
You don’t just have to limit your friendships to the people directly in your flat, so branch out. Even if they don’t turn into long-term friendships, at least you’ll be familiar with the people you bump into in the halls.
4. Join a society
Societies are groups of students who have come together around a specific activity or interest, for example, surf society or Marvel society. They can be very fun and also a great way to meet some new friends.
Universities offer tons of great societies for you to choose from. Picking something you enjoy and are passionate about means you can meet like-minded people to enjoy it with.
A lot of societies also have regular socials (club nights), and let’s be honest, it’s far less daunting meeting new people when you’ve had a drink or two.
5. Join a sorority or fraternity
Sororities and fraternities are a typically American addition to Uni (College), where students will join a sorority (for girls) or frat (for boys) house. Each house is an organization with its own rules, goals and expectations.
Many houses work with a big/little system, meaning that when you are accepted into a house, they assign you a ‘big,’ which is someone who will guide you through your sorority life as well as help you with your academic journey.
This is an immediate friendship as you can bond through your experiences together.
6. Speak to your coursemates
Another great and fairly obvious way is by speaking to your coursemates. If you’re worried about how to start a conversation, don’t be – you all have one pretty big thing in common – the course you’re taking!
So, go sit down and chat with whoever happens to be next to you, and you might find that other people will join in.
You’ll also find throughout your entire course having friends doing the same degree as you will mean you have people to discuss big projects and exams with, and you could even suggest setting up a study group.
7. Attend freshers’ events
Freshers week is the week before uni starts, where there are multiple events like the Freshers Fair and, of course, lots of club nights to get students interacting with each other.
It is designed to bring students together to start building friendships in the early stages of their new life at university.
Freshers’ events can lead to you branching out to other courses and accommodations. Freshers can be full-on, so you might not attend all the events. But, do attend a good load, as this is one of the best ways to make new friends.
8. Get a job
A less obvious way to make friends at uni is to get a job, especially a job on campus.
You tend to bond with your co-workers when you’re spending multiple hours together a week, and this can result in some great friendships. There may be work socials too where you can get to know your fellow employees.
Also, if you work in a hospitality or retail role, you may find yourself talking to some of the customers that come in and find out they go to the same uni, all you have to do from there is ask if they want to hang out.
9. Host a party
Finally (and one of my favorites), you could host a party! This may not be everyone’s cup of tea but a party is a great way to get chatting with all sorts of people. You can invite friends of the friends you have made and start expanding your friendship group.
It’s a great way to meet people in a chill setting, having had a couple of drinks you may find the process of making friends at uni a little easier (given the liquid courage).
But remember, having tons of friends isn’t crucial for having a great time at uni; it’s having the right friends. There are so many personalities you’re going to meet, so it’s okay if you don’t get along with some of them. Take your time to figure out who your people are.
