Meeting People

Okay, you're probably already thinking "We've had this thread a million times before", but my situation is slightly different than the average one.

I'm a sandwich year (between my second and third year) student at York, but I'm currently living in Oxford, and I'm finding it quite difficult to meet people to develop friends with. I'm quite a bit younger than most people I know at work (I'm 20, and the youngest people who work here have graduated and normally have a few years experience under their belt, making the youngest here in their mid-20s), and the handful of people I know who are in my age bracket don't live in Oxford but rather commute in from other places. I do try to socialise with people from work, but the age difference is a bit weird.

I live in a shared house, with a 24 year old and two 27 year olds, and they're a pretty decent bunch of people, but they also have their own quite separate lives, and I've suggested a couple of times (as have they) to go out into Oxford or to a pub or something, but not much happens, this is mainly due to hectic schedules and lifestyles though, rather than malice or anything like that. I do try to socialise with them where I can too (eating meals in the lounge, watching TV with them), but sometimes it feels a bit forced and I'm happier sitting in my room talking to my friends from York on MSN/Facebook/etc.

I don't exactly class myself as a loner or anything like that, I'm not the most confident outgoing person in the world, but I get along pretty well although I do find some social situations (especially where I don't know anyone) a bit intimidating and it usually takes me some time to come "out of my shell" as it were.

Obviously there are the two Unis in Oxford, but I just assumed it'd be a bit strange for me to turn up to one of the Union bars uninvited not as a student of that Uni (and I'm pretty sure you need an OUSU card to get into the Oxford Union bars anyway), but I would like to find some students to mingle with.

Anyone got any advice? Or anyone in Oxford area in the same position as me? Give me a PM if you are :smile:

Thanks,

Chris

Reply 1

starchild

Hi there Chris,

Unfortunately I live in Norwich so I am quite far away. I am also finding it hard to fit in my halls because the other students are all around age 20 and I happen to be 18. They all like going out all the time and unfortunately I am not a fan of that. I'm not a loner, but I do like my own space. I know its hard to 'come out of that shell' so this is what I did. I dont know if it will work or anything. Sorry if it doesnt.

I offered people in my flat a cup of tea and a meal so we could sit down and talk, and they were lovely people. I'm still pretty closed up but it certainly broke the ice. Just try something simple like that.

Sorry if I cant help

:hugs:

sitara a.k.a starchild xx

Test.

I'm kind of opposite where I do enjoy going out drinking and clubbing, but ever since I moved here I've not had much chance to, and I think it's a bit weird to be going out on my own...