University: Navigating The Social World
I am 20 but I am behind in my studies & I am not due to start university until a few years from now, but I have always been curious or perhaps more anxious about the social sides of university.
Most people talk about subjects, topics, courses, their ambitions and where they are headed in life, but rarely about their personal deeper experiences such as with the social side of university making me feel even more curious and anxious when it comes to the thought of this experience beyond me.
If anyone feels like this resonates with them before they started university & they have something to share to answer my questions I would be more than grateful to you for your insight through your sharing of personal experiences.
1. What was the social side of university like for you in the beginning in contrast to now?
2. How did you find fitting in & finding your place? Is this necessary in university?
3. Were you a social person before university? Did you enter it alone? If so how was that for you? How did you integrate socially?
4. Did the social side of university ever make you feel anxious?
5. What were your struggles with the social side of university?
6. Where are you presently now with navigating the social side of university?
Most people talk about subjects, topics, courses, their ambitions and where they are headed in life, but rarely about their personal deeper experiences such as with the social side of university making me feel even more curious and anxious when it comes to the thought of this experience beyond me.
If anyone feels like this resonates with them before they started university & they have something to share to answer my questions I would be more than grateful to you for your insight through your sharing of personal experiences.
1. What was the social side of university like for you in the beginning in contrast to now?
2. How did you find fitting in & finding your place? Is this necessary in university?
3. Were you a social person before university? Did you enter it alone? If so how was that for you? How did you integrate socially?
4. Did the social side of university ever make you feel anxious?
5. What were your struggles with the social side of university?
6. Where are you presently now with navigating the social side of university?
Reply 1
Original post by MonCherí
I am 20 but I am behind in my studies & I am not due to start university until a few years from now, but I have always been curious or perhaps more anxious about the social sides of university.
Most people talk about subjects, topics, courses, their ambitions and where they are headed in life, but rarely about their personal deeper experiences such as with the social side of university making me feel even more curious and anxious when it comes to the thought of this experience beyond me.
If anyone feels like this resonates with them before they started university & they have something to share to answer my questions I would be more than grateful to you for your insight through your sharing of personal experiences.
1. What was the social side of university like for you in the beginning in contrast to now?
2. How did you find fitting in & finding your place? Is this necessary in university?
3. Were you a social person before university? Did you enter it alone? If so how was that for you? How did you integrate socially?
4. Did the social side of university ever make you feel anxious?
5. What were your struggles with the social side of university?
6. Where are you presently now with navigating the social side of university?
Most people talk about subjects, topics, courses, their ambitions and where they are headed in life, but rarely about their personal deeper experiences such as with the social side of university making me feel even more curious and anxious when it comes to the thought of this experience beyond me.
If anyone feels like this resonates with them before they started university & they have something to share to answer my questions I would be more than grateful to you for your insight through your sharing of personal experiences.
1. What was the social side of university like for you in the beginning in contrast to now?
2. How did you find fitting in & finding your place? Is this necessary in university?
3. Were you a social person before university? Did you enter it alone? If so how was that for you? How did you integrate socially?
4. Did the social side of university ever make you feel anxious?
5. What were your struggles with the social side of university?
6. Where are you presently now with navigating the social side of university?
Hi @MonCherí ,
These are good questions and lots of people have these same questions/concerns so I thought I would answer these questions for you!
1. What was the social side of university like for you in the beginning in contrast to now?
I think when I first started uni, I was going out every day and meeting new people every day which I did really enjoy, but it can be quite a lot! After freshers it does die down a little bit but this is when you find your close friends and just do things with them instead! Now I am in my third year, I have my close friends but I still meet new people doing societies or just on nights out!
2. How did you find fitting in & finding your place? Is this necessary in university?
I found fitting in okay, I am quite a chatty person so I didn't find it too bad talking to new people, however even if you aren't naturally a chatty person, its so much easier in freshers as people will come and talk to you! I would say that you will definitely fit in and find your people, more so than finding your 'place'.
3. Were you a social person before university? Did you enter it alone? If so how was that for you? How did you integrate socially?
I would say that I was a fairly social person before uni and have always been quite social at school/sixth form. However, university is very different to anything you will have done before, so even if you weren't that much of a social person before, you may find you become quite social at uni! I didn't know anyone before I started uni and still made lots of friends so don't worry about this!
4. Did the social side of university ever make you feel anxious?
I have felt anxious, especially before I started, about making friends and meeting people. Even if you are confident, it can be really daunting meeting lots of new people. However, I would say to try not to worry too much about this as it will happen and you will make friends. It feels like there's a lot of pressure to make loads of friends at first, but some of the best friends will come later so don't put too much pressure on yourself!
5. What were your struggles with the social side of university?
I would say my biggest struggle would be finding my close friends. I made lots of friends in freshers week, but not all of these friendships will last and I struggled to realise this at first and was upset when some friendships didn't last as long. However, you will meet your close friends, even if this is not straight away!
6. Where are you presently now with navigating the social side of university?
I am in my third year now, so I am living with some of my closest friends and I am really happy with this! I have friends on my course and also just other friends dotted around so I am really happy with how I am at the moment. They weren't the first people I met at uni, however it's really great at the moment and proof you may not meet 'your people' straight away.
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
Original post by hallamstudents
Hi @MonCherí ,
These are good questions and lots of people have these same questions/concerns so I thought I would answer these questions for you!
1. What was the social side of university like for you in the beginning in contrast to now?
I think when I first started uni, I was going out every day and meeting new people every day which I did really enjoy, but it can be quite a lot! After freshers it does die down a little bit but this is when you find your close friends and just do things with them instead! Now I am in my third year, I have my close friends but I still meet new people doing societies or just on nights out!
2. How did you find fitting in & finding your place? Is this necessary in university?
I found fitting in okay, I am quite a chatty person so I didn't find it too bad talking to new people, however even if you aren't naturally a chatty person, its so much easier in freshers as people will come and talk to you! I would say that you will definitely fit in and find your people, more so than finding your 'place'.
3. Were you a social person before university? Did you enter it alone? If so how was that for you? How did you integrate socially?
I would say that I was a fairly social person before uni and have always been quite social at school/sixth form. However, university is very different to anything you will have done before, so even if you weren't that much of a social person before, you may find you become quite social at uni! I didn't know anyone before I started uni and still made lots of friends so don't worry about this!
4. Did the social side of university ever make you feel anxious?
I have felt anxious, especially before I started, about making friends and meeting people. Even if you are confident, it can be really daunting meeting lots of new people. However, I would say to try not to worry too much about this as it will happen and you will make friends. It feels like there's a lot of pressure to make loads of friends at first, but some of the best friends will come later so don't put too much pressure on yourself!
5. What were your struggles with the social side of university?
I would say my biggest struggle would be finding my close friends. I made lots of friends in freshers week, but not all of these friendships will last and I struggled to realise this at first and was upset when some friendships didn't last as long. However, you will meet your close friends, even if this is not straight away!
6. Where are you presently now with navigating the social side of university?
I am in my third year now, so I am living with some of my closest friends and I am really happy with this! I have friends on my course and also just other friends dotted around so I am really happy with how I am at the moment. They weren't the first people I met at uni, however it's really great at the moment and proof you may not meet 'your people' straight away.
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
These are good questions and lots of people have these same questions/concerns so I thought I would answer these questions for you!
1. What was the social side of university like for you in the beginning in contrast to now?
I think when I first started uni, I was going out every day and meeting new people every day which I did really enjoy, but it can be quite a lot! After freshers it does die down a little bit but this is when you find your close friends and just do things with them instead! Now I am in my third year, I have my close friends but I still meet new people doing societies or just on nights out!
2. How did you find fitting in & finding your place? Is this necessary in university?
I found fitting in okay, I am quite a chatty person so I didn't find it too bad talking to new people, however even if you aren't naturally a chatty person, its so much easier in freshers as people will come and talk to you! I would say that you will definitely fit in and find your people, more so than finding your 'place'.
3. Were you a social person before university? Did you enter it alone? If so how was that for you? How did you integrate socially?
I would say that I was a fairly social person before uni and have always been quite social at school/sixth form. However, university is very different to anything you will have done before, so even if you weren't that much of a social person before, you may find you become quite social at uni! I didn't know anyone before I started uni and still made lots of friends so don't worry about this!
4. Did the social side of university ever make you feel anxious?
I have felt anxious, especially before I started, about making friends and meeting people. Even if you are confident, it can be really daunting meeting lots of new people. However, I would say to try not to worry too much about this as it will happen and you will make friends. It feels like there's a lot of pressure to make loads of friends at first, but some of the best friends will come later so don't put too much pressure on yourself!
5. What were your struggles with the social side of university?
I would say my biggest struggle would be finding my close friends. I made lots of friends in freshers week, but not all of these friendships will last and I struggled to realise this at first and was upset when some friendships didn't last as long. However, you will meet your close friends, even if this is not straight away!
6. Where are you presently now with navigating the social side of university?
I am in my third year now, so I am living with some of my closest friends and I am really happy with this! I have friends on my course and also just other friends dotted around so I am really happy with how I am at the moment. They weren't the first people I met at uni, however it's really great at the moment and proof you may not meet 'your people' straight away.
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
Thank you so much for answering my questions Lucy, I appreciate your response so much. It's so insightful & comforting at the same time reading all of your answers to my questions, I love what you said about "finding your people, instead of finding your place" and the fact that your personal experience and feelings shows the human side of all of us when it comes to meeting new people and connecting and even coming into new environments, but your response definitely eases my anxiety & helps me to move forward with more calm, so I appreciate you.
Original post by McGinger
This is so clearly AI Spam folks.
'I appreciate you' and similar nonsense phrases.
'I appreciate you' and similar nonsense phrases.
It isn't Ai spam, I'm a real person & human being?? & I do appreciate people answering my questions.
Original post by MonCherí
It isn't Ai spam, I'm a real person & human being?? & I do appreciate people answering my questions.
Why.
Reply 6
Original post by McGinger
This is so clearly AI Spam folks.
'I appreciate you' and similar nonsense phrases.
'I appreciate you' and similar nonsense phrases.
Imagine being so confidently wrong....
Reply 7
Original post by McGinger
This is so clearly AI Spam folks.
'I appreciate you' and similar nonsense phrases.
'I appreciate you' and similar nonsense phrases.
Imagine saying the phrase "I appreciate you" is indicative of AI....
Also, you're not in a position to judge when you use the term "Folks."
Reply 8
Original post by MonCherí
I am 20 but I am behind in my studies & I am not due to start university until a few years from now, but I have always been curious or perhaps more anxious about the social sides of university.
Most people talk about subjects, topics, courses, their ambitions and where they are headed in life, but rarely about their personal deeper experiences such as with the social side of university making me feel even more curious and anxious when it comes to the thought of this experience beyond me.
If anyone feels like this resonates with them before they started university & they have something to share to answer my questions I would be more than grateful to you for your insight through your sharing of personal experiences.
1. What was the social side of university like for you in the beginning in contrast to now?
2. How did you find fitting in & finding your place? Is this necessary in university?
3. Were you a social person before university? Did you enter it alone? If so how was that for you? How did you integrate socially?
4. Did the social side of university ever make you feel anxious?
5. What were your struggles with the social side of university?
6. Where are you presently now with navigating the social side of university?
Most people talk about subjects, topics, courses, their ambitions and where they are headed in life, but rarely about their personal deeper experiences such as with the social side of university making me feel even more curious and anxious when it comes to the thought of this experience beyond me.
If anyone feels like this resonates with them before they started university & they have something to share to answer my questions I would be more than grateful to you for your insight through your sharing of personal experiences.
1. What was the social side of university like for you in the beginning in contrast to now?
2. How did you find fitting in & finding your place? Is this necessary in university?
3. Were you a social person before university? Did you enter it alone? If so how was that for you? How did you integrate socially?
4. Did the social side of university ever make you feel anxious?
5. What were your struggles with the social side of university?
6. Where are you presently now with navigating the social side of university?
Hello @MonCheri,
Great questions and they gave me lots to think about and look back over. I think whilst you’re in university you definitely develop socially without realising, though how much of this is due to being able to stand on your own two feet and grow up by navigating life your own life independently or due to the impact of of the social side of uni, I’m not sure. I’d say it’s most probably a bit of both.
Regardless, if it helps allay your concerns, I’m sure I’m right in saying, that nearly everyone who moves on to uni post A-Levels is worried about fitting in and making friends, with of course the worry of being isolated and alone. It’s a natural feeling when you move away from the familiar to the unknown, but the wonderful thing about university life is that there are so many opportunities to make friends that within days you already amass a good group of friends in a lot of different areas of your uni life. Here are my answers, I’ve used your numbering:
1.
In the beginning, I went out with mainly my housemates, who remained my closest friends for the rest of my time at uni. We tended to go out outside of the uni day. When the course teaching started proper, my friends were the people in my seminar group, for me these were the same for each one, though it may be different for some people. We formed smaller groups within that, so I had two really close friends and we worked together in the library, went for a coffee between class, joined up for lunch etc. This hasn’t really changed now.
2.
I think I just fitted in, I had my friends and you naturally just settle into the university routine, in that sense, for me it was just like school.
3.
I was one of a small group before university and I suppose I remained one of a small group, albeit a few different groups at university. That said I am quite a social person, I like going out and chatting to people, and because I’m a talker I found it easy to integrate socially. I joined all the sports clubs and societies that interested me and went to the events they ran so I kept meeting more people. Initially I went alone but you soon meet people.
4.
Not really, I was excited to meet new people and try lots of new experiences.
5.
I don’t think I really have any
6.
Presently, I have a group of friends who I study with sometimes, we go for coffee, lunch and on days out, or the theatre etc. it’s quite routine and settled now.
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester
Original post by PG Study Chester
Hello @MonCheri,
Great questions and they gave me lots to think about and look back over. I think whilst you’re in university you definitely develop socially without realising, though how much of this is due to being able to stand on your own two feet and grow up by navigating life your own life independently or due to the impact of of the social side of uni, I’m not sure. I’d say it’s most probably a bit of both.
Regardless, if it helps allay your concerns, I’m sure I’m right in saying, that nearly everyone who moves on to uni post A-Levels is worried about fitting in and making friends, with of course the worry of being isolated and alone. It’s a natural feeling when you move away from the familiar to the unknown, but the wonderful thing about university life is that there are so many opportunities to make friends that within days you already amass a good group of friends in a lot of different areas of your uni life. Here are my answers, I’ve used your numbering:
What I will stress to you is please don’t worry. When you start uni it is daunting but you soon settle in and find your place,
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester
Great questions and they gave me lots to think about and look back over. I think whilst you’re in university you definitely develop socially without realising, though how much of this is due to being able to stand on your own two feet and grow up by navigating life your own life independently or due to the impact of of the social side of uni, I’m not sure. I’d say it’s most probably a bit of both.
Regardless, if it helps allay your concerns, I’m sure I’m right in saying, that nearly everyone who moves on to uni post A-Levels is worried about fitting in and making friends, with of course the worry of being isolated and alone. It’s a natural feeling when you move away from the familiar to the unknown, but the wonderful thing about university life is that there are so many opportunities to make friends that within days you already amass a good group of friends in a lot of different areas of your uni life. Here are my answers, I’ve used your numbering:
1.
In the beginning, I went out with mainly my housemates, who remained my closest friends for the rest of my time at uni. We tended to go out outside of the uni day. When the course teaching started proper, my friends were the people in my seminar group, for me these were the same for each one, though it may be different for some people. We formed smaller groups within that, so I had two really close friends and we worked together in the library, went for a coffee between class, joined up for lunch etc. This hasn’t really changed now.
2.
I think I just fitted in, I had my friends and you naturally just settle into the university routine, in that sense, for me it was just like school.
3.
I was one of a small group before university and I suppose I remained one of a small group, albeit a few different groups at university. That said I am quite a social person, I like going out and chatting to people, and because I’m a talker I found it easy to integrate socially. I joined all the sports clubs and societies that interested me and went to the events they ran so I kept meeting more people. Initially I went alone but you soon meet people.
4.
Not really, I was excited to meet new people and try lots of new experiences.
5.
I don’t think I really have any
6.
Presently, I have a group of friends who I study with sometimes, we go for coffee, lunch and on days out, or the theatre etc. it’s quite routine and settled now.
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester
Thank you so much for your response to all of my questions!! It's nice it gave you lots to think about and look back over, the first initial memory to where you are now seems like such a leap & that in itself is comforting to know that those nerves or anxities or those uncomfortable moments pass until you soon find your routine and your people, this gave me a different perspective so thank you for sharing.
Reply 10
Original post by MonCherí
I am 20 but I am behind in my studies & I am not due to start university until a few years from now, but I have always been curious or perhaps more anxious about the social sides of university.
Most people talk about subjects, topics, courses, their ambitions and where they are headed in life, but rarely about their personal deeper experiences such as with the social side of university making me feel even more curious and anxious when it comes to the thought of this experience beyond me.
If anyone feels like this resonates with them before they started university & they have something to share to answer my questions I would be more than grateful to you for your insight through your sharing of personal experiences.
1. What was the social side of university like for you in the beginning in contrast to now?
2. How did you find fitting in & finding your place? Is this necessary in university?
3. Were you a social person before university? Did you enter it alone? If so how was that for you? How did you integrate socially?
4. Did the social side of university ever make you feel anxious?
5. What were your struggles with the social side of university?
6. Where are you presently now with navigating the social side of university?
Most people talk about subjects, topics, courses, their ambitions and where they are headed in life, but rarely about their personal deeper experiences such as with the social side of university making me feel even more curious and anxious when it comes to the thought of this experience beyond me.
If anyone feels like this resonates with them before they started university & they have something to share to answer my questions I would be more than grateful to you for your insight through your sharing of personal experiences.
1. What was the social side of university like for you in the beginning in contrast to now?
2. How did you find fitting in & finding your place? Is this necessary in university?
3. Were you a social person before university? Did you enter it alone? If so how was that for you? How did you integrate socially?
4. Did the social side of university ever make you feel anxious?
5. What were your struggles with the social side of university?
6. Where are you presently now with navigating the social side of university?
Hey there @MonCherí, it can be difficult finding friends at first in university especially in a unfamiliar environment where most are living alone and away from home for the first time. Personally, I would not consider myself very extraverted or naturally sociable so it took a while for me to find people I could get along with. I took the chance to to go out of my comfort zone, joined a few social events, got a part time job, and tried out some societies, it was only after sticking around for a while where I slowly became closer with the people around me 🙂 Don't worry too much about it, friends come and go, and it takes time to build strong friendships. I wish you all the best in your studies and I hope this helps!
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
Reply 11
Original post by MonCherí
Thank you so much for your response to all of my questions!! It's nice it gave you lots to think about and look back over, the first initial memory to where you are now seems like such a leap & that in itself is comforting to know that those nerves or anxities or those uncomfortable moments pass until you soon find your routine and your people, this gave me a different perspective so thank you for sharing.
You're really welcome, and I think that that is a really important thing to remember when you do start university. It might seem a bit isolating and certainly really really daunting to move to a new town or city, into accommodation with people you don't know, on top of starting a new course - everything is new and unknown and it all happens at the same time, with no time to gradually adjust. The wonderful part of this experience is, however, that you really do settle in and adjust to a new way of life and you do so really quickly. Keep remembering that everybody is starting from the beginning and most people don't know anyone, but if you just go with it, agree to meet your classmates for coffee, go out with your housemates etc and most importantly, just be you then you will have a great network of friends. Try not to stay in your room as you will be isolated, and in the long run that won't be any fun at all, which is what university life is all about. Yes you want to do well and get a good degree, but it's the opportunity to live with your peers and should be a great 3 years.
I hope it goes really well, but as I said in the previous post if you have any more worries or concerns, please feel free to reach out and ask, don't hesitate, we've all been there!
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester
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