How to make friends at university?
I'm going to university next year and I'm worried about not making friends. I'm an introvert and I don't use social media. It seems in today's society most people live their life on social media. How can I make friends at university?
I am in a similar position 
Yeah me too
Original post by Anonymous
I'm going to university next year and I'm worried about not making friends. I'm an introvert and I don't use social media. It seems in today's society most people live their life on social media. How can I make friends at university?
Hey,
I understand this is probably quite a worrying situation for you, I'm definitely an introvert too so was also worried about this when I first came to uni a couple years ago. Social media was huge at the time as well and it was definitely how a lot of people connected before even starting at uni.
However, saying all of that, I found most of the friends I made at uni were made naturally. The easiest people to make friends with tends to be your flatmates if you live in uni accommodation. Alongside that, I think the best and longest-lasting friendships I've made from uni are with people who I met on my course, literally just through lectures/seminars. I also found that nothing really came of those friends I did connect with beforehand and I never really actually spoke to any of them (though some people may have made good friends that way), I think it's just a way people feel like they know someone before getting to uni. You can also join societies/clubs to meet likeminded people if you want to go about it that way, but that wasn't for me!
I would say as long as you're willing to put yourself out there a little bit (even though it's hard at first), you'll make friends just as easily as everyone else. In first year especially, most people are in the exact same boat and it can sometimes feel like everyone wants to be friends with everyone. If you take that approach, you'll definitely find some people you click with.
Best of luck with everything!!
Natalie
University of Kent Student Rep (2nd year PhD Psychology)
Original post by Anonymous
I'm going to university next year and I'm worried about not making friends. I'm an introvert and I don't use social media. It seems in today's society most people live their life on social media. How can I make friends at university?
Hi there,
I definitely understand your concerns - going to uni is such a big change and it can seem so overwhelming. My biggest piece of advise would just be to throw yourself into as much as possible especially in the first few weeks. It may be uncomfortable but it really helps to get involved and you have to remember everyone is in the same position as you. They've all moved to a new place not really knowing anyone so they'll want to make friends too. Other than your flatmates or people on your course I think a great way to meet people is through societies or sports clubs as it gives you another opportunity to mix with like minded people you may not have come across before. I think just try and put yourself out there as much as you can and you'll find your people.
I hope this helped and good luck
Jess
Original post by Anonymous
I'm going to university next year and I'm worried about not making friends. I'm an introvert and I don't use social media. It seems in today's society most people live their life on social media. How can I make friends at university?
Hi,
Making friends at university can be quite a daunting task but there are simple things you can do to help make friends both in and outside your course. Joining some societies of hobbies or interests would allow you to make friends with similar interests to you and would also allow you to do something you enjoy as an extracurricular.
If living in student accommodation is an option for you, I would highly recommend it as you become great friends with the people you live with as simple things such as making dinner at the same time allow the opportunity for chatting and getting to know one another.
You will have so many opportunities to make friends on your course during seminars and lectures as simple things such as saying hello to the person you sit next to in a lecture allows the opportunity to have a chat. Friendships made on your course are great as the people on your course truly understand what you are going through such as deadlines and exams and will likely have some similar interests to you.
I hope this is of some help to you and I wish you the best of luck with going to university next year!
Mary
London South Bank University Student Rep (3rd year Children's Nursing)
Original post by Anonymous
I'm going to university next year and I'm worried about not making friends. I'm an introvert and I don't use social media. It seems in today's society most people live their life on social media. How can I make friends at university?
You don't have to be friends with everyone, but being open when people approach you, offering assistance, and engaging in conversations can lead you to connect with a few great individuals. A helpful guide on making friends can be found in this book: https://www.amazon.com/LIKE-Likability-Subconscious-Re-Programming-Hypnosis/dp/1961755025. All it takes is dedicating 5 minutes each morning to follow the recommendations outlined in the book. Good luck!
(edited 5 months ago)
Hello,
My name is Haya, and I am a final year medic.
When I first started university as an international student, I was worried I wont be able to make friends as quickly as others. However, everyone was in a similar position and was worried about the same thing.
The way I met my friends was through my course, one day I just asked the people on my table if they wanted to grab lunch after class and the rest is history.
I also met some of my friends through societies, the gym, and hanging out in the student union.
Don't forget that a lot of people will be in a similar situation to you but try your best to put yourself out there
Best of luck,
Haya
My name is Haya, and I am a final year medic.
When I first started university as an international student, I was worried I wont be able to make friends as quickly as others. However, everyone was in a similar position and was worried about the same thing.
The way I met my friends was through my course, one day I just asked the people on my table if they wanted to grab lunch after class and the rest is history.
I also met some of my friends through societies, the gym, and hanging out in the student union.
Don't forget that a lot of people will be in a similar situation to you but try your best to put yourself out there
Best of luck,
Haya
Original post by Anonymous
I'm going to university next year and I'm worried about not making friends. I'm an introvert and I don't use social media. It seems in today's society most people live their life on social media. How can I make friends at university?
Hi!
You don't need to be worried about anything, there are so many ways to make friends at Uni without social media. Personally, I'm not much of a social media person(being sort of an introvert) as well and have not had any problems making friends. A few ways to meet people that could become friends;
Staying in student accommodation(|private or university owned) you meet people from different places without leaving your flat, you could go out together or make conversation when in the kitchen or lounge at the same time, it's usually the easiest way to make friends at uni.
Getting a part time job- you meet people from different places, they could even be from a different university, chatting during lunchbreaks or on the job.
Volunteering- you not only meet people, you get skills and experience and give back to the community when you volunteer
Joining a club or society- you meet people with similar interests, go for outings, meet and greets or just hangout occasionally
Doing any other extracurricular activity, you could even make a friend from going to the gym so there are countless opportunities to make friends at Uni and not to forget your course mates!
Remember that friendships are not forced, they come naturally and you don't have to change who you are to fit someone else's standards. Just be you!
Congrats on deciding to go to University and hope you have an amazing experience throughout!
Benedicta
Digital Ambassador UoS
Original post by University of Sunderland Student Ambassador
Hi!
You don't need to be worried about anything, there are so many ways to make friends at Uni without social media. Personally, I'm not much of a social media person(being sort of an introvert) as well and have not had any problems making friends. A few ways to meet people that could become friends;
Staying in student accommodation(|private or university owned) you meet people from different places without leaving your flat, you could go out together or make conversation when in the kitchen or lounge at the same time, it's usually the easiest way to make friends at uni.
Getting a part time job- you meet people from different places, they could even be from a different university, chatting during lunchbreaks or on the job.
Volunteering- you not only meet people, you get skills and experience and give back to the community when you volunteer
Joining a club or society- you meet people with similar interests, go for outings, meet and greets or just hangout occasionally
Doing any other extracurricular activity, you could even make a friend from going to the gym so there are countless opportunities to make friends at Uni and not to forget your course mates!
Remember that friendships are not forced, they come naturally and you don't have to change who you are to fit someone else's standards. Just be you!
Congrats on deciding to go to University and hope you have an amazing experience throughout!
Benedicta
Digital Ambassador UoS
You don't need to be worried about anything, there are so many ways to make friends at Uni without social media. Personally, I'm not much of a social media person(being sort of an introvert) as well and have not had any problems making friends. A few ways to meet people that could become friends;
Staying in student accommodation(|private or university owned) you meet people from different places without leaving your flat, you could go out together or make conversation when in the kitchen or lounge at the same time, it's usually the easiest way to make friends at uni.
Getting a part time job- you meet people from different places, they could even be from a different university, chatting during lunchbreaks or on the job.
Volunteering- you not only meet people, you get skills and experience and give back to the community when you volunteer
Joining a club or society- you meet people with similar interests, go for outings, meet and greets or just hangout occasionally
Doing any other extracurricular activity, you could even make a friend from going to the gym so there are countless opportunities to make friends at Uni and not to forget your course mates!
Remember that friendships are not forced, they come naturally and you don't have to change who you are to fit someone else's standards. Just be you!
Congrats on deciding to go to University and hope you have an amazing experience throughout!
Benedicta
Digital Ambassador UoS
Many thanks for your response.
This is very reassuring.
I'm thinking of going to either Manchester or Lancaster university but I've not decided yet.
Original post by Anonymous
I'm going to university next year and I'm worried about not making friends. I'm an introvert and I don't use social media. It seems in today's society most people live their life on social media. How can I make friends at university?
Hi there!
It's completely normal to worry about making friends when you get to university. Especially if you're more introverted. My advice would be to take a more relaxed approach towards meeting and getting to know people. Try talking to people you meet in your flat or in your course. You would more than likely find someone who has similar interests with you and that is something you can bond over initially until you form a more long lasting friendship.
There are usually also different societies and clubs at most universities so you would often find those are also good places to meet people who are interested in the same things as you but in a less forced situation.
Take it easy, making friends at university takes time. Sometimes the people you meet immediately you get to university dint always pan out to be your main friend group because you may be quite different and that's fine. If you can have a small group of really good friends that's really all you need. Don't worry too much about it now, when you get to uni it flows a lot easier than you would think.
Best,
Lancaster University Ambassador
Glory.
Original post by mwegiel
Do international and UK students tend to keep apart at unis? Or is it a good mix in social circles?
Hi
Hope you are keeping well. I've found that everyone tends to socialise with each other regardless of where you're from. A few of my close friends are international students, so no one really seems to judge, especially if you are fresher.
Hope this helps,
Faheema (Lancaster University Student Abassador for Psychology)
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