No friends at uni (RHUL)

Basically, I know barely anyone at uni. I’ve been clubbing a total of three times, and my days are so boring and repetitive. Most of the time I only have like 2 conversations a day, it’s so isolating… Honestly, I just need advice. I’m in my first year if that helps

Reply 1

Cat Lo

3

Honestly, join a club or two. It’s the best way to find other like minded people. I don’t know your uni and know they can vary as to how many clubs and societies they have on offer, but hopefully there’ll be something that appeals to you. If there’s nothing that immediately appeals, just take a deep breath and join a club that will likely have the most social activity eg a drama society (lots of backstage jobs), a sports club, a board games club, anything which actually gets you meeting people. Be brave and good luck.

Original post by Anonymous

Basically, I know barely anyone at uni. I’ve been clubbing a total of three times, and my days are so boring and repetitive. Most of the time I only have like 2 conversations a day, it’s so isolating… Honestly, I just need advice. I’m in my first year if that helps

Hi!

I completely relate to this and understand where you are coming from. I know this is the classic advice but joining societies is a great way to make friends, even if you don't stick at the society itself! Additionally, I made many friends from my part time job. I didn't meet most of my current closest friends until at least second semester of first year, so don't worry!

Hope this helps! Faye 🙂

Original post by Anonymous

Basically, I know barely anyone at uni. I’ve been clubbing a total of three times, and my days are so boring and repetitive. Most of the time I only have like 2 conversations a day, it’s so isolating… Honestly, I just need advice. I’m in my first year if that helps

Hi there,

I'm sorry to be reading this. But you are not alone in this and many students feel the same at some point. As already mentioned, joining a society is a great way to meet likeminded people with the same interests. It can feel overwhelming and can take some time to make friends, so don't forget to be patient with it. This is something I wish I knew when I was going through a similar time at university. Joining a society, will break up the repetitiveness of your days and get you out, meeting new people and sharing an interest with others. Working part time or becoming a student ambassador may also be an option and another alternative to making new friends. If you live in halls, have you tried spending time in the communal spaces i.e. kitchen and suggesting making tea together or doing a food shop with your flat mates. Check out your student union and what events are happening on campus as there will be many students in the same boat looking to make new friends at the events. You've got this!

Hope this helps 🙂
^Zac

(edited 1 month ago)

Original post by Anonymous

Basically, I know barely anyone at uni. I’ve been clubbing a total of three times, and my days are so boring and repetitive. Most of the time I only have like 2 conversations a day, it’s so isolating… Honestly, I just need advice. I’m in my first year if that helps

Hi there,

I'm sorry to hear this, but know you aren't alone. For so many students, it takes time to make friends, so keep going!

What do you like to do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies, or are you interested in trying something new?

Joining a sport or society is a great way to meet new people, but also make sure to take a look at what is on offer in your area. For example, Chester has a range of community groups for different interests, dance classes, and a weekly walking club for women. As well as this, I find that volunteering is also a great way to meet new people, and you can find opportunities for whenever suits you!

I'd also recommend looking into whether your university offers peer mentoring. I'm a peer mentor for a first-year, and it can be really reassuring to have someone check-in on you and meet up for a chat/activity every now and then. It might also help to talk to someone who has been through it before, as I'm sure they have advice!

It can be hard to get started, but it is important to put yourself out there. I have no doubt you'll find your people, even though it can be challenging to begin with. Best of luck, and I hope this helps! 🙂

Isabella
Fourth-Year Geography (With a Year Abroad)

Original post by Anonymous

Basically, I know barely anyone at uni. I’ve been clubbing a total of three times, and my days are so boring and repetitive. Most of the time I only have like 2 conversations a day, it’s so isolating… Honestly, I just need advice. I’m in my first year if that helps

Hi there,

I am really sorry to hear that you have been feeling like this and I know how you feel - it can be hard at uni when you feel you haven't met many people or made many friends. Here are some of my best tips for making friends at uni and how I have met most of my friends here:

1.

Joining a society. These are great ways of meeting lots of people and making some new friends. It's also just a good way of making sure you get out and do something you enjoy. Most universities will have lots of different options so have a look and see if there are any you think you would enjoy doing.

1.

Have a look on social media as there will often be groups here that you can join and connect with people from your uni. On Facebook there will often be groups for different universities so have a look here and see if you can meet anybody this way!

1.

If you don't want to join a uni society, have a look and see if there are any other clubs in the area that you live in. There will quite often be clubs that you can join such as different sports teams! This might be a way to meet some people away from your uni.

1.

Try and talk to some new people in your lectures/seminars. This is a good way of meeting some new people so it might be worth trying to speak to someone new each time you go to uni and see if you can start any conversations with people this way.

1.

Try and see if your flatmates (if you live in halls) want to do anything with you. They may be up for going clubbing, or just having a games night or something!

I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador 🙂

Reply 6

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

Original post by Anonymous

Basically, I know barely anyone at uni. I’ve been clubbing a total of three times, and my days are so boring and repetitive. Most of the time I only have like 2 conversations a day, it’s so isolating… Honestly, I just need advice. I’m in my first year if that helps

Hey, sorry to read your post. I was wondering whether you're doing a subject that involves going to labs, or attending in-person lectures? You could try sitting next to different people each time and striking up polite pre-/post-lecture conversations with them.

The way I made friends with lots of people on my course (at a different uni) was by announcing in the hallway post-lecture that I was going to X coffee shop (as there was no point heading back to accommodation and coming back for next lecture, as it was only an hour's gap), and did anyone wanna join me? People did, and we got chatting, and then soon a merry group of about 6-8 of us would do that on a regular basis. You could ask people whether they fancy going to Crosslands, or the Packhorse pub :yep:

EDIT: Just to say, going to the Packhorse doesn't need to involve alcohol! I used to go to pubs (and went clubbing once, in Fresher's Week) and bars with my friends and just sip on a Coke or a mocktail :yes:

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 7

Royal Holloway, University of London

Official Rep

13

Original post by Anonymous

Basically, I know barely anyone at uni. I’ve been clubbing a total of three times, and my days are so boring and repetitive. Most of the time I only have like 2 conversations a day, it’s so isolating… Honestly, I just need advice. I’m in my first year if that helps

Hello there,

We're sorry to hear you have been feeling like this. There are lots of opportunities and events around campus which are a great way to meet like-minded students and make new friends.

Joining one of the many student clubs is an ideal way to meet people with similar interests to you. Whether it's a sports club, society, or student media outlet, this is a great way to meet and build connections with other students. All the student communities can be found here.

We would also recommend giving @rh_halllife on Instagram a follow where more chilled out social events are posted - if you're in your First Year and living in student accommodation on campus, you should also be receiving the Hall Life Newsletter biweekly on Fridays which includes all the events. If you're a commuting student, the next commuter coffee catchup will be on 11 March and more details will be shared soon in the student newsletter and on @rhcampuslife on Instagram.

The Student Lounge in the Windsor Building is our new common space where events are held and students are always welcome to hang out/study there.

Next week in particular we have our Careers Diversity Fair (Diversity Careers Fair - Royal Holloway Student Intranet) (Wednesday 12 Feb, 12-3pm) - attending will be many societies as well as the Volunteering team. Next week is also Student Volunteering week. Volunteering (Royal Holloway Volunteering - Royal Holloway Student Intranet) is also a good way to meet people at Royal Holloway and boost your CV and skillset.

We hope the above info is useful - there is also a wealth of other information, including support for students, on the Student Intranet.

Best wishes,
Royal Holloway, University of London

No friends at uni (RHUL)

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