Making new friends can be quite the task at university. It is often the case that, even if you’re lucky enough to go to university with a friend you’ve known prior from your former school, college or elsewhere, studying different courses can put a strain on how often you see them during the week. If you happen to be attending university alone, the countdown to this new chapter of your academic career could be considered even more daunting, since this would likely be your first time as a young adult entering a new academic environment having not known anybody before.
So how do you do it? How do you make friends? Have no fear because today I’m here to cover how to socialise when you’re a home student. Whether you’re in first year, second or third, connecting with fellow students can be made easier by following some of the suggestions below.
Attend your introduction days
This first suggestion of mine might sound not so glamorous, but it’s worth doing. I happened to be one of those students who came to their university not knowing anybody prior. Each department at the university you attend will likely have an induction event spanning over the course of roughly two days for me that happened to be held by the department of Arts & Humanities.
By attending, not only did I get a chance to make friends with fellow students on my creative writing course, but also managed to socialise and form friendships with students from other courses within my department, including English Literature, Global Challenges, Geography and more.
Attend events hosted by your university or join a society
Over a hundred events happen at university. Well, I’m aware that’s the case for mine. For students who aren’t fond of large crowds, events such as monthly quiz nights could be the way to go. Or why not purchase a ticket and go on a day trip offered by your university?
For the social butterflies who aren’t intimidated by larger crowds, I’d recommend joining and attending events held by societies. To help narrow down your options, I’d recommend joining societies that relate to you or attending an event that piques your interest. If you’re looking to socialise and make friends with people with similar backgrounds as you, joining your ACS society or whichever society is relevant to you might be the best choice. Events held on campus include themed nights, talent shows and much more.
Take part in a sport
If you happen to still be looking for ways to socialise as a home student outside of attending events, perhaps taking part in a sport might be the way to go. Football, badminton, volleyball and tennis are just a few examples of the many sports students can participate in offered by universities. Running clubs are also an option for students wanting to take up a new active hobby. For more information on how to get involved in sports on campus, I’d recommend checking out your universities’ website.
Not quite keen on stepping out to make friends at university? Well then check out this article on the 14 best apps to find friends when you are a student at university.
