How To Make Friends At Uni — 5 Ways To Break The Ice

Currently sat in your uni room wondering how to make friends at uni? Where on earth do you start?

You’ve said goodbye to your family, made your room as homely as possible and now it’s time to venture… out there. Don’t worry, it’s really not that bad.

Starting out at a completely new place surrounded by strangers can be daunting, but right now it’s important to remember you’re not the only one. Everyone in your corridor is new and looking to make friends. It’ll happen more easily than you think.

Living in such close quarters, you’ll get to know them pretty well (probably too well), but if you want to break the ice and make the process go a little smoother then there’s plenty that you can do.

So, prop open your door with that doorstop everyone told you to buy and get chatting, then try out some of these activities together.

1. Play some games

Whether it’s a pack of cards or a full on game of Twister, there’s nothing like competitive spirit to help you bond with your new mates.

You’ll have plenty of time for a full game of Monopoly, or you can really get to know your new friends with some Cards Against Humanity or Never Have I Ever.

You don’t have to stay sitting around the table either — find out who your riskiest flatmate is with a game of dares or your stealthiest with a game of hide and seek.

You might even find that your halls is putting on some games, setting up a football team, or just organising some drinks in the common room, so go along to those too.

2. Go to freshers’ events

You’ve probably had a few hundred flyers through your door, plus emails, and maybe even a Facebook group for all the events going on during your first week.

You could go out every night (the best way to meet as many people as possible and forget them by the next day). Or, attend every taster session for sports clubs and societies — there really is something for every kind of person.

Drag your new halls mates along to the freshers’ fair and see what you can find. You might discover shared interests or a whole new group of people who love debating, opera, or frisbee as much as you.

3. Throw a party

Get to know everyone in your corridor, or your block by turning up your speakers and setting up some beer pong.

It’s a great way to meet people outside of just your neighbours and chat to lots of different people in one night. You can post a note under people’s doors, or send out a message on a group chat.

Find out if you’ve got a neighbour who can DJ, or even set up a song request playlist to get everyone involved. You could even treat yourself to some new music gadgets to get the party started.

While you want to get to know loads of people, keep the guest list and the volume in check so that you don’t get

shut down.

4. Go exploring

You’re most likely in a brand new city or place that you’ve never lived before, so there’s plenty to explore together.

Go out with your new friends to take in the campus landmarks or the city’s best attractions as a great way to create memories and escape the university bubble for a few hours.

Getting to know your new area together will help you to locate the best places to eat, drink, and dance — as well as where to buy the essentials.

If you’re short on cash after blowing it on your first night out, then check out some of the free activities you can do in your city, or find some great attractions discounts here.

5. Eat together

Whether you’re in catered halls, or catering for yourself, eating your meals together will make your first few days a lot less lonely.

Make plans to meet at a certain time for lunch or dinner, or you can knock on your neighbour’s door when you’re thinking of grabbing a bite.

If you’re in self-catered accommodation, you could even cook a meal together — especially helpful if you’ve got a flatmate who’s a whizz in the kitchen. There’s nothing like the shared triumph of a bangin’ spaghetti bolognese to bring people together.

Making new friends doesn’t have to be difficult or awkward. There are plenty of events during freshers’ week designed to help you get to know loads of different people for starters.

Find out what you and your neighbours have in common and pick an activity to do together. Everyone’s out to make new friends in those first few weeks, so get out there and make the most of it.

Read this next for more advice on how to survive freshers’ week.