Flatmates, new people and making friends!

Making friends at university is one of the biggest concerns new students have, and for most of us, leaving to go to uni means leaving a lot of the friends we’ve had for years. But, entering a new phase in life is an exciting opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and share new experiences. You can never have too many friends anyway!

Fresher’s Week serves as one of the best times of year to get out and meet new people and befriend as many as possible.

Most people will be fairly familiar with the concept of visiting the Fresher’s fayre and signing up to societies and sports – here you’re more than likely to meet new friends who share mutual interests, ranging from a passionate love for Disney, politics or even rowing.

This is definitely a great way to meet people, but, from experience some of the best friends you can make at uni have a tendency to be your flatmates. Of course, this is not always necessarily true, but in those first couple of weeks of university when you’re finding your footing, genuinely befriending your flatmates is one of the best things you can do.

Depending on the accommodation you plan on staying in, you may be able to find the names of those who you will be sharing a flat, before the big move to uni. Starting a Facebook chat with everyone is a great way to familiarise yourself with your soon-to-be new roomies. Through doing this, you’ll be able to find out if any of them are doing the same course as you or have any similar interests to you. Plus, it’s an opportunity for you all to share some of your fears and concerns about coming to university.

This all presents a chance to bond, as well an opportunity to plan some of your Fresher’s Week. If a flatmate is doing the same course as you, you can plan to go to some of the course related welcome week events together. If you do share some similar interests it might be a good idea to go to the sports and societies fayre together, as you may want to sign up to a couple of things together – which will make the experience a lot less daunting!

Even if all you can bond over is some of what you’re worried about, it’s still a great way to establish a relationship with the people you’ll be living with, and consequentially people who will end up being a huge part of your first year.

Also, if you plan on going out during Fresher’s Week, you’re probably going to end up going out with your flatmates. So, use the pre-drinks card games, wardrobe choices, bars or clubs and the McDonald’s on the way home, as a way to glue a friendship together.

One last thing – pretty much everyone loves pizza, so be sure to use that as a way to get to know people, I highly suggest ordering a Dominos on the first night in the flat with everyone – it will get you off to a great start!