Ways to make friends at Uni

Whether you’re stepping onto campus as a wide-eyed fresher or a seasoned university student eager to expand your social horizons, the quest to establish meaningful connections remains a constant in university life. Here’s my list of strategies to help you navigate the exciting journey of making friends at uni.

Put Yourself Out There

It’s not surprising that it feels 10 times harder to make new friends once you’re no longer in situations where you’re surrounded by peers day after day, and the responsibility of looking after yourself is on your shoulders. In the Uni world, you have to put in the effort to expose yourself to new people, and to do this, you have to step out your comfort zone and put yourself out there! This could be as easy as joining a society or sport, hanging out with course mates between classes, volunteering, or even signing up for apps like Umii.

Learn to Balance WORK + FRIENDSHIPS

It may feel really hard to meet new people, but sometimes it might be because you’re not allowing yourself the chance to. Take a look at your work-life balance. If you’ve just started a new job or been assigned a project, it’s understandable if a lot of your energy is being spent on that. However, if you find your days are all work and no play, then you might want to try giving yourself more time and opportunities to meet new faces.

Read Owen’s article: 6 Tips for maintaining a good study-life balance

Go Out Alone

Going out to places alone (without an emotional support plus one) will force you to interact with other people. Choose events that interest you and you will find people who already have a lot in common with you! But you can’t always expect others to make the first move – be the one to break the ice and say hi to fellow students at events… I promise they won’t bite!

Re-connect with Old Friends

You may be mourning all the friendships you had at school or sixth form, but they don’t have to slip away! Find a way to maintain them around your new busy university routine. It’s never too late to reconnect with old friends, even if it’s a little daunting if you haven’t been in touch for a while. Make the first move and send them a message or ask if they want to meet up for a catch-up. It’s always worth a try!

Try Attending a Study Session

When your schedule is packed and deadlines loom, why not consider joining or suggesting a social study session? This way, you can balance work and socializing efficiently. You can also assume that others attending might be in the same similar situation, making it easy to start a conversation.

Read Hannah’s article: Best Coffee Shops To Study In

Hang Out in the Same Places

One of the easiest ways to meet new people is by hanging out in the same place regularly. This could be going to the gym at the same time every day or bringing your laptop to a certain coffee shop each weekend. Being consistent with social environments will mean bumping into the same people more often, making you more recognizable to them and boosting your confidence. Before you know it, one day you’ll take off your headphones and have a nice chat!