The Student Room Group

Hard to make friends in Glasgow

I've just started university at Paisley. I've moved from the south coast (Southampton) but wasn't allocated a spot in university halls. Apparently they were all filled with applicants who lived further away than me! :eek: Anyway thats a rant for another day.

My problem is that I've had to find accomodation in private run halls in Glasgow. I'm having trouble meeting new people here. I've not really made friends with my flat mates, they all seem really immature to me (they are 17 and I'm 20). I've made friends with 2 people from my course and thats great but I don't want to impose myself on them all the time. I'm getting quite lonely and don't know what to do! I can't even hang out at the student union as it's a 15 minute train journey to Paisley thats made worse by a 30 minute walk at the Glasgow end and a 15 minute walk at the Paisley end. I also have the crapest union ever as it doesn't open at the weekends! :eek: :mad: How crap is that? I've never heard of student union like that!

I've tried going out in Glasgow but its a bit hard as my flat mates are 17 and get knocked back everywhere (as well as me not really liking them). I go out on my own sometimes but its not really nice hanging around pubs and clubs on your own. I try striking up conversation but everyone seems to be there in a group and I can't find a way to introduce myself to them.

Has anybody got any ideas? Better yet is there anyone else in Glasgow who would like to meet up?

I'm studying computer games technology, I like mountain biking, motorbikes (have a Ducati Monster 600) and rock/metal/indie music. I mainly like going out to pubs with a good jukebox or live bands, clubs are good too but I'm not a big dancer. I prefer relaxing with a drink, listening to music and chatting with a group of friends. I also like chilling in coffee shops and have found a brilliant one called BeanScenez in the West End.

Scroll to see replies

Jeez,impose yourself on your course mates!Invite them out one night...
Reply 2
Ah I didn't mean that I don't go out with those course mates I have made friends with. I meant that while I go out/have a night in a couple of times a week with them I don't want to push my welcome and end up with no friends. It doesn't help that the two course mates are going out together and live together. :redface:

Anyway I'm really trying to think of ways to meet new people but aside from the student union (as crap as it is) I can't think of any more ideas. :frown:
Reply 3
Have you joined societies or anything?
(Southampton to Paisley....that's quite a randomly long journey!)
no way does it take 15 minutes to walk from Gilmour Street to Paisley Uni! Takes about 15 to walk to my dad's place, and the Uni's about half way...

*realises this isn't really helpful*

Hmm, yeah join a society or something. Or just randomly talk to people until you make friends. It'll be a bit embarrassing, as many of them will just walk off, but still... better a bit of embarrassment for a while than having no friends yeah?
Reply 5
Oright maybe not 15 minutes :wink:

I've sent an email asking the rock soc when the next meeting is, that should be a start! :smile:

Cheers people.
You seem like a cool person!....Thats absolutely no help whatsoever is it...but hey if you ever have reason to visit Stockton, come and say hi!
Reply 7
Hehe, thank you! :cool:

If I ever pass through I'll be sure to wander round Stockton until I find you :wink:
Reply 8
Ditto for Edinburgh :biggrin: Actually it's more likely I'd be in Paisley, since my bf is fromm Johnstone, though I have to say the land of neds is not one I'm keen to visit :biggrin:

If it's any consolation, I really don't get on with my flatmates either but I'm managing. Course mates are good, and clubs and socs are great. My fencing team are talking about getting a big table for the Xmas Ball, and going to the cinema together and stuff. You will find people :smile:
Go to cube (the club) and talk to random people outside afterwards. Do this on a regular basis.
Reply 10
wait....do scottish kids start university at 17?!
Yeah Scottish kids start university at 17.
Reply 12
that's weird...
We sit the exams to get into Uni when we're 16. We then do a 'Sixth Year' at school where you gain extra qualifications/improve on existing grades, then go to Uni at 17.
I feel for you because I felt equally as rubbish when I first came up here. I'm from Chichester (no idea if you've heard of it, it's about twenty minutes away from Portsmouth) and made the decision to go to Glasgow University, even though I'd applied to and been accepted by some reputable universities which were closer to me, like Sussex. In the first few weeks/months up here I went through some teething problems. I couldn't adapt at all, missed home and my family, and struggled with confidence issues so felt like nobody liked me or wanted to know me. I also wasn't spending time with the right people, so felt utterly bored and awkward when I did socialise, and subsequently felt even more miserable.

It basically all changed one Friday. I got back from university, did some washing, and literally bumped into someone I'd met right at the very start of freshers week and arranged to watch a film with him. This introduced me to his group of friends, who were starting to merge with the girls I knew. Finally I felt I was with a group of friends who liked and wanted to be around me, and who I liked and wanted to be around too. Two of my best friends here are from that group, and I spend ridiculous amounts of time with each of them, either talking/watching tv/laughing at various ***** in and around our halls/going out to the pub with and so on. We may not be the same age, from the same place or have exactly the same interests and tastes but we all get on very well and have a good time and I feel lucky to have met them all.

You need to bite the bullet and, in regards to the friends you've made off your course, invite them out somewhere! Yesterday I went to the pub with a friend I've made here because he wanted to watch the football. I have no interest in football and it was Rangers vs. Celtic beforehand so I knew the pub would be a bit of a nightmare, but I went anyway. People aren't going to want to be antisocial and won't think you've imposed, they'll probably be glad you've asked them to do something.

good luck; let us know how it goes x
Thanks for the encouragement Marychrist!

Things are getting a lot better for me lately, got off my arse and did something about it all.
Reply 16
Pleased to hear it :smile:
Reply 17
i have a pal doing the same course as you. Doesnt really like it, cant do the programming.

I know people in my course at Strath with the same problem as you being a lot older than the rest of us tho in his case he is also spanish and cant really speak the language very well
beanscene is genius.
i go there durng my free periods and after school with my friends.
i know this doesnt add anything...
Reply 19
Oh my god are you serisous? I've applied to Paisley and I BETTER get a place in the halls, cause if I have to start off the school year bein totally pissed off because I have no where to stay thats going to totally RUIN my first impressioons

Quick Reply