How To Make New Friends At Uni
You’re not the only one worried about making friends at university.
Our Student Beans Freshers’ Report revealed that 64.4% of soon-to-be students are worried about making friends at uni. See? We told you you’re not alone.
Most people will start off on the same boat — knowing absolutely no one when turning up for the first day of Freshers’.
Whether you’re anxious about your new flatmates (as are 52.9% of students from our Freshers’ report) or nervous about who to sit with in lectures, making friends at uni is part of the experience.
Most people will start off on the same boat — knowing absolutely no one when turning up for the first day of Freshers’.
Whether you’re anxious about your new flatmates or nervous about who to sit with in lectures, making friends at uni is part of the experience. Our freshers guide has everything you need to know about starting uni.
We’re here to help by giving you some tips for making new friends, no matter what your situation — sober inclusive! And if you’re feeling isolated; 91% of Student Beans Instagram followers have also felt lonely at uni and have shared their tips on how to cope with feeling lonely at university.
Loading …In this guide:
- 10 tips for making new friends at uni
- Is it easy to make friends at uni?
- What if I struggle to make friends?
10 tips for making new friends at uni
If you’re wondering how to make new friends at uni, it’s convenient that you’ll all have something in common — starting university!
But, we know it can still be hard to put yourself out there and try to connect to new people, so here are 10 tips for making new friends at university.
1. Keep your door open
While you’re moving into your university accommodation, it can be easy to just shut the door and sort out your room in peace — but a shut door implies you’re not wanting to talk to anyone (or possibly not even moved in yet).
Now, we’re not talking about keeping the bathroom door open or having your bedroom door ajar 24/7, but opening it every so often (especially if you’re just chilling) is a great way for your flatmates to drop by, pop their head in and introduce themselves! Even if it’s just a quick “hi” to them walking past, it’s a great way to show that you’re open to meeting people.
2. Join Facebook groups
Most universities will have their own Facebook group where you might be able to find and join other groups for societies/interests, people in the same accommodation as you, and people who are on your course.
Don’t take it to the extreme though and start stalking your flat or course mates, but introduce yourself and make yourself known to the groups you’re interested in. There usually is a Freshers’ Week group or page, too, where you’ll be able to keep up-to-date with all the events and social bits.
3. Sit next to people in lectures
Walking into your first lecture or seminar might be a bit scary when you don’t know anyone, but running away to the back row to hide yourself is not going to help in the long run.
Try to approach people sitting alone or in small groups, introduce yourself and sit down. Worst case scenario? You don’t talk and can plan to sit with someone else at the next lecture. Best case scenario? You make friends!
4. Be social at a society you’re interested in
We could just say “go join a society and make friends” but we want to emphasise that you should join a society in things you’re interested in or curious about, rather than trying to be someone you’re not.
Joining a society in something you love is great grounds for meeting new people who share the same views and interests. You’ll already have something in common with the people in the society, so it’s a fab chance to break the ice and get to know new people.
5. Attend Freshers’ events
Freshers’ Week is essentially a week that celebrates the next chapter of your life; an introduction into university life. Whoop whoop!
There will be lots going on during Freshers’ Week like events, the Freshers’ Fair, course intros, and a lot more. Think of it as a week to get to know everyone and your new city.
Take this opportunity to meet new people as everyone will be looking to make new friends and trying to make a great first impression.
6. Spend time in communal areas
Definitely pencil in some time to yourself during Freshers’ Week and the start of uni, in general. Nothing’s worse than becoming overwhelmed and too tired.
Make use of our Headspace student discount to help make your you time more zen.
However, you’re likely going to be living with people for the next year or so, and making friends with them will make your journey a lot easier. Hang out in communal areas like the kitchen or living area so you can say hi to anyone popping in and spark up a convo.
7. Help your flatmates move in
Anecdote incoming… When I started university, I was full of worry about making friends and living with strangers, but it’s easier if you remember that everyone is in the same position.
Moving into my student accommodation, I made sure to keep my bedroom door open and as I was unpacking in-between sobs (I missed the family dog, okay!), two of my new flatmates popped their heads in to say hi and offered a hand with unpacking. It led to conversations about music taste as they helped unpack my vinyls, and then the rest is history! Consider the ice broken.
If you walk by a flatmate’s open door, don’t be shy! Say hello and offer a hand — they might be waiting for it!
8. Organise things to do with others
It’s normal for us to fear rejection, but it can sometimes get in the way of pursuing friendships and experiences.
If you’re hanging out in the common area and bump into a flatmate, ask them if they want to join you for a coffee, or ask the person next to you in your lecture if they want to study together or grab some lunch.
Organise flat dinners or a game of rounders; or just plug in the Xbox and gather round the TV.
9. Say yes to invites
If you’re not one for organising things, try saying yes to more invites. Obviously, say yes within reason and with things you’re comfortable with, but if people invite you out and you want to go, then say yes!
It will get easier the more you do it. However, avoid being peer pressured into things you don’t want to do, like getting drunk or staying out late the night before a deadline…
10. Compliment them
Flattery will get you almost anywhere.
Scared to make the first introduction when making new friends at uni? Compliment them, it can help start the conversation! Saying you like their bag or outfit will make them feel good about themselves and more comfortable.
Don’t go over-the-top though, there’s a fine line between complimentary and creepy.
Is it easy to make friends at uni?
Is anything in life easy? Making friends at uni is both easy and hard, and everyone will experience friendships differently.
Going to university is the chance to be completely yourself and as most people have matured into reasonable adults, no one should be batting an eyelid at you being you.
You can easily make friends if you join societies or sport clubs (if that’s your thing), but the lecture hall and your flat are equally good spots to catch someone for a natter.
Don’t expect friendships to be made in minutes (although that is true sometimes). Things need time to grow and flourish, so keep being you and you’ll be okay.
What if I struggle to make friends?
Many of us have struggled to make friends at some point in our lives, or at least it might have felt like that.
The reality is, there’s just no telling whether you’ll become friends with someone. Maybe you don’t have enough in common, or maybe the other person isn’t in a position to make new friends — and that’s okay.
Friendships are just like relationships, you have to find your people, ones you’re comfortable with to be yourself. It might take a bit of time, but it will be worth it for the strongest friendships.
Most importantly, remember not to put too much pressure on yourself.
If you do find yourself feeling lonely, we know it sucks and can make you feel hopeless, but you might find some comfort in these affirmations to help combat loneliness.
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