I’ve written quite a few posts about University recently, such as my post about making the most of University, and my graduation series all about life after University.
Today, I want to write a post all about how to make friends at University- and the issues some people face. Making friends is not always easy, and everyone has a different level of socialisation that they feel comfortable with on a day-to-day basis.
I’ve come up with 4 easy tips to make friends at University. Whether you love mixing with new people or you’re terrified about making new friends, these tips can help you make friends at University and feel more comfortable in your new home.
Make friends everywhere
At University it can feel like the only way to make friends is in your accommodation or on your course, but there are actually lots of ways to meet people. If you live on campus, chances are you’ll bump into the same people everyday, and there are loads of places you might happen to find someone you like talking to.
This might be the library (it might sound sad, but when you spend everyday there in the run-up to exams, you start to recognise some familiar faces…), the campus bar, your local pub, or even a campus shop. Make friends at University wherever you want.
Chat to mutual friends
In University, it often turns out that one of your friends knows another of your friends, and you realise just how small the campus really is. If you’re introduced to a mutual friend that you like, chat to them and meet up with them yourselves.
It’ll make it easier to form a friendship group, and it gives you a chance to create more bonds with the people you like.
Chat before University
I chatted to a few people that I was going to be living with before I went to University- and it really helped to have a few familiar faces. In fact, one of the girls came to find me after my parents left, and it really helped to know that there was someone I knew I liked before I even moved in.
Try and join any social media groups before the big move, and chat to like-minded people to get a taste of University life and make friends.
Eat with people
One of the best things about my University experience was that it was catered accommodation- meaning all our meals were made for us. This forced us to sit with people when we ate, and it meant no one could hide away in their kitchen. It also made sure I was healthy during this transition period in my life.
Don’t get me wrong, it can be daunting sitting with people during meals at first but when everyone is in a new place and doesn’t know anyone, you find that most people are open to sit and chat.
It’s great to have friends to socialise with over tea, so whether you’re in catered accommodation or not I recommend finding people to sit with when you eat, and avoid sitting alone in your room when you can.
Do you have any tips for making friends at University? Do you find it easy to make friends? What are your University tips for new students?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂
Happy reading x
Photo by Melissa Askew on Unsplash
Not-So-Modern Girl 
Love this post, Eleanor! I joined some organizations and participated in many college events so I could say that I have many friends at University 🙂 I also met my best friend at university 8 years ago! We still meet often until now 😀 I really miss my college days x
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That sounds like a great idea 🙂 aw that’s so lovely x
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This is a great post and very helpful for me considering I go to uni on Saturday. Thank you for sharing x
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Thank you! Good luck, I hope you have a lovely experience x
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This is great advice for making friends at uni, making friends with new people is hard as it is but this is such good advice! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
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Thank you Lucy x
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These are fantastic tips Eleanor! I have always been a really social person and so I didn’t find it hard to make friends in school. One thing that really helped me make friends in school was joining extracurricular activities and also starting conversations with people in the same level as me. Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you Ruth, I’m glad to hear that 🙂 yes I think finding people who like the same things as you is a great idea x
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It’s good to know people before starting to kinda get a good start when you go to the uni. Great tips!
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Yes definitely! Thank you 🙂
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Really helpful tips, I’ve been finding it harder to make friends at uni with the pandemic stopping us from meeting last year. Luckily, I got on well with two of my flatmates last year and we’re now living together. I’m hoping to meet more people through societies this year though 🙂
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Thank you Caroline, I bet that was really tough! That sounds fantastic, now that we can do things more I think it’ll definitely make it easier 🙂
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This is a great list! I’d also recommend attending college events and volunteering locally.
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Volunteering or getting a job is a great idea x
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This is a great post! I think it also important to remember that if you’re new to Uni that everyone is in the same awkward boat. 🙂
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Thank you Sam 🙂 Exactly!
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Great tips! I bet it’s really daunting going to university and not knowing anyone there. I remember when my friends went to Uni after sixth form, they spoke with loads of people online beforehand so they sort of knew people when they got there!
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Yes it can be scary- luckily everyone is in the same boat! Yes I did the same, it was such a fantastic way to feel more comfortable x
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Great tips Eleanor! I think its really important to make friends in different areas of your uni life, whether it’s those in your classes, those who you live with or people you do outside activities with. That’s a great idea to talk to people before you start, that way you’ll habe some friendly faces when you do start x
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Yrs I think there’s so many places you can make friends, which can be hard when you limit yourself to just your flat or house x
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Joining clubs on campus also help a lot to make friends. I joined the campus paper and made a lot of friends there 🙂
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That sounds fantastic! There are so many places to make friends, it doesn’t just have to be in halls or on your course x
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Good advice. I remember not getting a place in Halls and doing a house share from day one. So daunting but my house soon became a family.
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That’s lovely to hear 🙂
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Great post!! I made some strong friends in my first week by making myself get out there even when I wasn’t comfortable. But it’s also okay if you don’t make life long friends in your first week – my closest friend (and still is) was once courses kicked off and you got to know the people you were spending a lot of time with.
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That’s fantastic 🙂 yes I agree I didn’t find my friends until a few weeks in and it’s different for everyone!
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Great tips. Thanks for sharing. I remember that when I was in college, I joined a lot of clubs.
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That’s fantastic 🙂
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My tip would be to knock on everyone’s door and say hello! Someone did this in my halls and there was about 8 of us from different flats that ended up going to the pub and hanging out and they ended up becoming my uni friends! I would have struggled without them as my actual flat wasn’t very social.
Corinne x
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Yes I think that’s a great tip- it’s always good when there’s someone who’s confident enough to do that and draw others out of their rooms 🙂
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These are some great tips! I found that during my studies I went in with the idea of just being more open and relaxed about making friends and it worked really well. Uni is a chance to really broaden your life so embracing that is probably my advice. I’m still friends with a number of people I went to uni with and that was 20 years ago!
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Yeah that’s a great idea, sometimes you need to just let it happen naturally 🙂 that’s fantastic!
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Joining a sport or club are also very good ways to meet people. It’s really super important to remember that others are nervous and anxious too. They’ll appreciate a smile and a “ Hi, I’m Faye. What’s your name?”
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Yes definitely, especially when everyone is in the same boat- and knows nobody! Thanks for sharing Faye x
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And thank you for keeping it real.
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Loving this post Eleanor! I’m not at uni myself but I’ll defiantly be passing this onto my little cousin whose just started uni. It can be hard to make friends so this is really important! Thank you so much for sharing lovely xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
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Thank you Elle that’s so kind of you 🙂 I think so too x
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I would make mutual friends but the pandemic slowed me down, all of my classes have group chats so I would text in the chats sometimes. I’ve been more social this year so hopefully, I can make a few more. Great post! xx
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That’s a great way to put yourself our there! I’m sure you’ll be able to, it’s always an adjustment x
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Great post, Eleanor! My biggest tip to making friends at university is to join extracurricular activities! I joined a lot of clubs and met so many people! I love eating and have lunch with different people! An excellent tip! xx
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
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Thank you Lynn 🙂 that sounds so fantastic!
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This is great advice! You do end up seeing a lot of familiar faces, especially at study lounges and it’s a great way to meet new people! Thanks for sharing!
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Yes that’s very true, you meet so many people when you study x
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Such a great post and this will help anyone starting University.
I particularly like the point about connecting before the move. Its amazing you’re able to do that now and get to know at least someone you can meet up with on move in day.
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Nice tips. It’s been a long time since I finished Uni but I am still in touch with my friends 😊
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These are some really great suggestions on how to make friends at university and will be really helpful people who have started university or worried about applying for university for this reason. Thank you for sharing your suggestions.
Lauren
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Thank you 🙂 I think the social aspect was the most daunting for me but there are always ways to make friends you enjoy seeing x
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