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Social help

I'm going to ask an open question and am hoping for a range of answers and options. Here goes
How do you get people interested in you friendship-wise at school, when you feel invisible?

Reply 1

University of Kent

Official Rep

Original post by QueenofScotland

I'm going to ask an open question and am hoping for a range of answers and options. Here goes
How do you get people interested in you friendship-wise at school, when you feel invisible?

Hi there,

Moving to a new environment may mean you have to make new friends & meet new people. This may not come as naturally to some people as it does to others. I'm a rather introverted person and found this very difficult at the start of university in the first year. However, I have managed to find a good bunch of friends, and I am sure you will too.

It may be overwhelming, to get involved and start talking to people, but it is honestly the best way to get integrate into a new environment. I would really recommend checking out different societies, events, or even just speaking to people in your lessons.

It may take a while to get to know people, but going to the same society frequently may help you learn a few familiar faces. From there, you may ask them to hang around outside of society events. I know it may seem like that everyone has already found their bunch of friends already, but that is not the case. Regardless of what year of university we're in, friendship groups shift all the time, so you could always try speaking to few different groups of people.

Most of my friends come from the same course as me. This is because we have more to talk about in common, and we often spend time studying to get outside of lessons as well. Alternatively, the university or your student union may host different ranges of group networking events where you are able to meet different students. If you haven't checked out already, some universities do offer student support and well-being services, these may provide different schemes for students to meet. At Kent we have a student buddy scheme and also coffee networking chats. These are really just informal ways to get to meet new people and develop new friendships, so have a look and see if your school offers any of these.

Alternatively you could try to get involved with different work experiences such as volunteering or helping out on campus or different events, getting a part time job may also help you meet new people as well.

I hope this helps.
Chloe
University of Kent student Rep

Reply 2

City UoL Rep 2

Official Rep

Original post by QueenofScotland

I'm going to ask an open question and am hoping for a range of answers and options. Here goes
How do you get people interested in you friendship-wise at school, when you feel invisible?

Hey,

During my first year of University, I struggled a lot with this. I found it difficult to speak and socialise with anyone. In the summer before my first year of university, I found an online forum where people were discussing where they were going to University and what courses they were doing. I interacted there and met my first friend who luckily was in all the same classes that I was in. The second time that I interacted with anyone was because I needed someone to help me with work before the professor called on me so it was purely in desperation. I'm not extroverted in nature so I did really struggle with speaking to anyone. I introduced the two of them and the rest is history :smile:

During my second year of university, I joint the Student Ambassadors team where I met a large range of individuals. It was when I progressed to Senior Student Ambassador in my final year that I formed close friendships with the other Ambassadors.

Honestly, it really does take a while to meet people. For the duration of my first 2 years, i felt relatively invisible. I became quite comfortable in my own presence and would explore London solo. It was only when I had the confidence to apply for Student Ambassadors that I was able to become more extroverted. While it is so overwhelming meeting new people, I would recommend attending society events and talking to individuals you are seeing regularly in classes. With both of these, you will see individuals regularly, giving the friendships time to blossom.

Warmly,
Iris - third year Politics student at City, University of London

Reply 3

University of Sunderland Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by QueenofScotland

I'm going to ask an open question and am hoping for a range of answers and options. Here goes
How do you get people interested in you friendship-wise at school, when you feel invisible?

Hello there.
Thank you for reaching out with your question. It's quite reasonable to feel this way, and you're certainly not alone. Making friends can be difficult, especially if you feel like you're going unnoticed.
Here are some tactics that may help you connect with people, as they did for me. Do not be scared to start talks with your students. Begin with modest pleasantries or comments on something you notice about them, such as their backpack or the book they're now reading.
Participating in groups or extracurricular activities based on your interests is an excellent way to meet like-minded people. It gives a common ground for starting talks and developing friendships.
A warm smile or a simple hello can often make a significant impact. Try to be friendly and willing to interact with others. Small acts of kindness can significantly increase your visibility and likability. Attending sports games, cultural activities, or school productions might help you connect with other students outside of the classroom. It encourages casual conversations in a more relaxed setting.
Authenticity is essential in developing true interactions. Don't pretend to be someone you aren't merely to blend in. Accept your distinct talents and hobbies, as these are what distinguishes you.
If you're still having trouble making connections, don't be afraid to ask teachers, counsellors, or student support services for help. They can provide direction and help that is suited to your individual needs.
Remember that developing connections requires time and work, so be patient with yourself. Also, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would want to chat. You are not alone on this trip, and there are many individuals out there who would love to get to know you better.
I hope this is helpful.
Kind regards,
Mrunali Kalbhor,
University of Sunderland Student ambassador