I’ve written a few posts about University recently, such as my post about making the most of University and my graduation series for those facing life after University.
Today, I want to write a post all about how to make friends at University- and the issues many people face.
Making friends is not always easy, and everyone is comfortable with different kinds of socialisation in their lives.
At the end of the day, everyone will make friends in their own way. It’s a complete myth that you need to make all of your friends the minute you step onto campus.
I made a few friends at Fresher’s events, but my long-term friendships are with the people I met after that, when we all started to settle into real life.
Whether you love mixing with new people or you’re terrified of making new friends, there are a few ways to feel a little more comfortable when you first move to University and start the next chapter of your life.
In this blog post, I’ve come up with 4 easy tips to make friends at University. I hope these ideas can help you feel more comfortable in your new home!
1. Make friends everywhere
At University, it can feel like the only way to make friends is in your accommodation block 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 in lecture theatres, clubs, cafés and canteens.
You might meet a new friend in the library, the campus bar, your local pub or even a campus shop.
Don’t limit yourself to the people in your house or on your course- make friends at University wherever you want!
2. Chat to mutual friends
At University, it often turns out that one of your friends will know another of your friends, and you start to 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 if that’s what you want, and it gives you a chance to create more bonds with the people you like.
3. Speak to people before University
I spoke to a few people online before I started University, and it really helped to have a few familiar faces when I moved into my student halls.
In fact, one of the girls came to find me after my parents left on the first day. It really helped to know that there was someone I knew I liked before I even moved in!
Try and join any relevant social media groups before the big move, and chat to like-minded people to get a taste of University life and make friends.
4. Eat with people
One of the best things about my Fresher’s 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, you find that most people are open to sit and chat.
It’s great to enjoy a bit of social time over meals, so whether you’re in catered accommodation or not I recommend finding people to sit with when you eat or during the evenings.
Do you have any tips for making friends at University? Do you find it easy to make friends? What are your top tips for new students attending University?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂
Happy reading x
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds like a great idea 🙂 aw that’s so lovely x
LikeLike
This is a great post and very helpful for me considering I go to uni on Saturday. Thank you for sharing x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Good luck, I hope you have a lovely experience x
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lucy x
LikeLike
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLike
It’s good to know people before starting to kinda get a good start when you go to the uni. Great tips!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes definitely! Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
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 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great list! I’d also recommend attending college events and volunteering locally.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Volunteering or getting a job is a great idea x
LikeLike
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLike
Thank you Sam 🙂 Exactly!
LikeLike
Joining clubs on campus also help a lot to make friends. I joined the campus paper and made a lot of friends there 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s lovely to hear 🙂
LikeLike
Great tips. Thanks for sharing. I remember that when I was in college, I joined a lot of clubs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s fantastic 🙂
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 🙂
LikeLike
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah that’s a great idea, sometimes you need to just let it happen naturally 🙂 that’s fantastic!
LikeLike
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?”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes definitely, especially when everyone is in the same boat- and knows nobody! Thanks for sharing Faye x
LikeLiked by 1 person
And thank you for keeping it real.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Elle that’s so kind of you 🙂 I think so too x
LikeLike
That’s fantastic 🙂 yes I agree I didn’t find my friends until a few weeks in and it’s different for everyone!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great way to put yourself our there! I’m sure you’ll be able to, it’s always an adjustment x
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lynn 🙂 that sounds so fantastic!
LikeLike
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes that’s very true, you meet so many people when you study x
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Nice tips. It’s been a long time since I finished Uni but I am still in touch with my friends 😊
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLiked by 1 person