nervous about university

Hey everyone, I was just wondering how easy it is to make friends at university? I am not particularly sporty, and I know that lots of people make friends through sports clubs, so this wouldn't really work for me. Is it quite easy to make friends in the halls of residence? I just don't want to struggle to make friends!Any advice or anything would be really appreciated... thank you!

Hi there,

I think being around a lot of individuals in the same position as you, will make it quite easy to make friends as everyone will be wanting to socialise and keep company due to them not being in a known environment. Putting a little effort in to socialise with your flat mates or others who are on your course will definitely make it a lot easier but freshers week is definitely something you should utilize as this will help you find friends right from the beginning. It may be quite difficult at the minute due to the situation we are in but university is such a social environment that it would be hard to miss out on making friends! I am quite an introvert and when I first went to university (before the one I am at now), I still found it super easy to find friends and get along with them, as well as my flatmates too!

Toni,
Student Ambassador

Don't worry yeah people make friends in sports clubs but even if your not sporty there are so many other socs you can join I mean this is from my old uni https://www.solentsu.co.uk/get-involved/societies/ then there are adoption societies (basically you revive a societiey that has no members if you can get 5 people interested your good to go.) Oh and it's really easy to start your own some common ones are film clubs radio video games all sorts your sure t find something that you like and if not you can always start your own.

Hi Toni,
that's great.. thanks so much for responding!
If you don't mind me asking, was freshers week still running this year because of Covid? I am going to uni next year and I feel like covid may make it a little harder!

Hey everyone, I was just wondering how easy it is to make friends at university? I am not particularly sporty, and I know that lots of people make friends through sports clubs, so this wouldn't really work for me. Is it quite easy to make friends in the halls of residence? I just don't want to struggle to make friends!Any advice or anything would be really appreciated... thank you!

Hey everyone, I was just wondering how easy it is to make friends at university? I am not particularly sporty, and I know that lots of people make friends through sports clubs, so this wouldn't really work for me. Is it quite easy to make friends in the halls of residence? I just don't want to struggle to make friends!Any advice or anything would be really appreciated... thank you!

Hey, I'm an introvert and managed to make friends so it's definitely possible haha. I made friends mainly through halls of residence and societies – and even though I've graduated these people are some of my closest friends! Though I do admit with the pandemic the situation might be different; I'm not sure how it will be in the next few months. Regardless, I'm sure most universities have many online events (my uni had something like "speed-friending" which is akin to speed-dating lol) if things remain online that is.

One tip: Most freshers will be in the same position; everyone starts with a clean slate and will most likely feel the same. You have to take the initiative to put yourself out there if you wanna make friends.

Really, don't worry about it too much It's just one of those things you will only know when you experience it

Heya! I'm in my third year now and can safely say it's surprisingly easy to make friends at uni! You'll definitely become pals with at least some of the people you're living with in halls, that comes pretty naturally from spending time together. Just don't be afraid to reach out and chat to people! I was super anxious about moving to uni as I'm a really quiet person, but honestly just be brave and talk to people and suggest doing things together. My flat played card games every night for at least the first week, because it was an easy way to hang out without being forced to make loads of conversation, and none of us were interested in drinking and going out to parties. You'll be surprised how quickly you feel comfortable around them and how easy it is to chat away and become great friends! One of the girls I lived with in first year is my best friend now and we've been living together ever since! Of course, it'll really depend on the sort of people you're living with whether you'll really get along or not, but if it turns out everyone in your flat is awful (highly unlikely) you'll definitely make some friends on your course too. Again, just be approachable, say hello and introduce yourself to anyone you sit near in class at the start and you're bound to hit it off with people, or at least be on good enough terms to get in touch about assignments etc later in the year.

If you're starting in 2021 I'm not sure if things will be a little different because of COVID? I know people recommend fresher's week as a way to meet people but I don't think I went to a single fresher's event outside of the stuff I had to go to for my course lol and I turned out just fine, so if you don't get a traditional fresher's week I wouldn't worry about it! You've got this!