Worried about fitting in at uni...
I'm starting a new uni this year after having a bad experience at my previous one and I'm a bit worried about going through the whole process again. I'm nearly 21 and I'm going into my first year of an Events Management degree. I'm worried that I'm not going to have much in common with other people starting uni as I've done it before with bad experiences and I'm also quite a bit older. On top of it all I'm going to be commuting as my boyfriend and I have recently started renting our first house together, meaning I probably won't be able to go out with people from my course very often. I'm really nervous that I won't make any friends and I'll have my second bad experience at uni, does anyone have any advice?
Can I ask why was it such a bad experience the first time?
I'm in a similar boat going back to university at 23, though I'll be living in student halls so socialising will be easier. I'd recommend joining a society (your boyfriend may also be allowed to join in some cases) seeing as usually if you like an activity like minded people often share the same interests.
Try to connect with a few people on your course, don't think of the age ranges too much, there will be people on the course both older and younger, but all of them are interested in the course and networking with them for studying or even just a coffee gives you a nice low pressure starting point. Try going to some of the Freshers events too, it might not be your style but chances are there will people just like you who aren't entirely sure about the experience.
All in all just relax, set aside time to socialise within and outwith your university and use it as an opportunity to learn and try new things, you won't always have time commuting but don't shut yourself out from everyone just because you aren't on campus or halls.
I'm in a similar boat going back to university at 23, though I'll be living in student halls so socialising will be easier. I'd recommend joining a society (your boyfriend may also be allowed to join in some cases) seeing as usually if you like an activity like minded people often share the same interests.
Try to connect with a few people on your course, don't think of the age ranges too much, there will be people on the course both older and younger, but all of them are interested in the course and networking with them for studying or even just a coffee gives you a nice low pressure starting point. Try going to some of the Freshers events too, it might not be your style but chances are there will people just like you who aren't entirely sure about the experience.
All in all just relax, set aside time to socialise within and outwith your university and use it as an opportunity to learn and try new things, you won't always have time commuting but don't shut yourself out from everyone just because you aren't on campus or halls.
Original post by TomMatt
Can I ask why was it such a bad experience the first time?
I'm in a similar boat going back to university at 23, though I'll be living in student halls so socialising will be easier. I'd recommend joining a society (your boyfriend may also be allowed to join in some cases) seeing as usually if you like an activity like minded people often share the same interests.
Try to connect with a few people on your course, don't think of the age ranges too much, there will be people on the course both older and younger, but all of them are interested in the course and networking with them for studying or even just a coffee gives you a nice low pressure starting point. Try going to some of the Freshers events too, it might not be your style but chances are there will people just like you who aren't entirely sure about the experience.
All in all just relax, set aside time to socialise within and outwith your university and use it as an opportunity to learn and try new things, you won't always have time commuting but don't shut yourself out from everyone just because you aren't on campus or halls.
I'm in a similar boat going back to university at 23, though I'll be living in student halls so socialising will be easier. I'd recommend joining a society (your boyfriend may also be allowed to join in some cases) seeing as usually if you like an activity like minded people often share the same interests.
Try to connect with a few people on your course, don't think of the age ranges too much, there will be people on the course both older and younger, but all of them are interested in the course and networking with them for studying or even just a coffee gives you a nice low pressure starting point. Try going to some of the Freshers events too, it might not be your style but chances are there will people just like you who aren't entirely sure about the experience.
All in all just relax, set aside time to socialise within and outwith your university and use it as an opportunity to learn and try new things, you won't always have time commuting but don't shut yourself out from everyone just because you aren't on campus or halls.
Thanks for all your advice, I'll definitely take note of that...I had a horrible experience because I discovered a few months in that I really hated my course and my uni was incredibly difficult about allowing me to leave so I ended up being stuck away from home doing a course I hated and I didn't really 'click' with anyone at uni. I had friends but no one close and I don't speak to any of them now. Hoping this year will be different.
Original post by DDarcy
I'm starting a new uni this year after having a bad experience at my previous one and I'm a bit worried about going through the whole process again. I'm nearly 21 and I'm going into my first year of an Events Management degree. I'm worried that I'm not going to have much in common with other people starting uni as I've done it before with bad experiences and I'm also quite a bit older. On top of it all I'm going to be commuting as my boyfriend and I have recently started renting our first house together, meaning I probably won't be able to go out with people from my course very often. I'm really nervous that I won't make any friends and I'll have my second bad experience at uni, does anyone have any advice?
Your age won't be a problem unless you make it one, 21 is only 2/3 years older than most people who start university. People will be too concerned with, and excited about, starting university to think about how old someone is. If you're commuting then just make sure you make extra effort in lectures/seminars etc to talk to people on your course. You could always explain that you're commuting but you're still willing to meet up and go out when you can.
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