Uni from Home - Worried about making friends

Hi Guys,

I've got an offer to study Accounting and Finance BSc /w Placement (N401) at the University of Southampton this September, and whilst I am really excited, I am also slightly anxious. Having made the Uni my firm choice now, I'll be living at home (as I live 5 mins away from Highfield campus, where A&F lectures take place), and I'm scared I'll miss out on the whole uni social side - especially making friends.

From other experiences I've seen on Insta and TikTok, being in halls is the primary way to make friends and bonding early on, so I'm wondering if staying at home will make things harder socially.

I'm especially hoping to meet ppl through societies - I've looked into cultural ones like Indian Society and Punjabi Society which I'd be interested in joining. Do you guys reckon that will be a good way of finding a solid group of friends, or is it easy to feel on the outside if you are not living on campus?

Anyone else planning to stay home whilst going UoS? Or has anyone done it and still managed to have a great social life? Any advice or experience would rlly help :smile:

Reply 1

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Hi!

You can definitely still make friends but you just have to be a bit more proactive and intentional about it. I am sure there will be lots of people in the same situation who are commuting also!

I lived in halls but didn't really get along with my flatmates, so i was kinda in the same boat you may be in. I just decided to try to speak to as many people as possible during freshers. I attended all the starter lectures and when i was put in groups i would do the tasks given but also ask people about where they are from etc. Then i would either add their snap chat or Instagram and i literally met my now best friend by doing this, i helped her when she was lost on her way to the same lecture as me.

Just try to be as social and friendly as possible even though i completely understand how difficult and anxious it can be!

Hope this helps and i believe you can do it!
Katy,
LJMUStudentRep

Reply 2

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

Original post

by Ionic_Jai

Hi Guys,
I've got an offer to study Accounting and Finance BSc /w Placement (N401) at the University of Southampton this September, and whilst I am really excited, I am also slightly anxious. Having made the Uni my firm choice now, I'll be living at home (as I live 5 mins away from Highfield campus, where A&F lectures take place), and I'm scared I'll miss out on the whole uni social side - especially making friends.
From other experiences I've seen on Insta and TikTok, being in halls is the primary way to make friends and bonding early on, so I'm wondering if staying at home will make things harder socially.
I'm especially hoping to meet ppl through societies - I've looked into cultural ones like Indian Society and Punjabi Society which I'd be interested in joining. Do you guys reckon that will be a good way of finding a solid group of friends, or is it easy to feel on the outside if you are not living on campus?
Anyone else planning to stay home whilst going UoS? Or has anyone done it and still managed to have a great social life? Any advice or experience would rlly help :smile:

Hello @Ionic_Jai,

Congratulations on your offer!

I’m currently studying psychology at my second year of uni and have commuted from home since first year.

I’ve still managed to make lots of friends, get involved in events and social activities, and have a strong sense of community, so try not to stress. As long as you make an effort to put yourself out there, you’ll be completely fine.

I made friends during the psychology induction day at the start of first year and in my lectures. Once you meet a few people, it’s likely that they will introduce you to their friends too. I ended up getting invited to my friend’s accommodations occasionally as well.

During freshers, I joined uni group chats and made plans to go to freshers events with people from them. A good app for this is Unifi, or you can have a look on Facebook. Adding people you meet on Instagram or Snapchat is a great way to stay in contact and find mutuals.

I also went to societies which can be a good way to meet people and sounds like you already have a few in mind! The psychology department do community events where you can chat to the staff and others on the course. These are usually smaller and less busy which makes it less intimidating. They do fun activities for Christmas, spring, Easter, etc.

There are also lots of opportunities in the wider university for getting involved and meeting people. I work as a student ambassador and have met a few of my close friends doing the shifts.

As you only live a few minutes away from campus, you’ll have no issues getting involved, especially as I have found it fine and live half an hour away on the bus!

Good luck for starting uni and let me know if you have any questions :smile:

Poppy, 2nd Year Psychology

Reply 3

Manchester Met - Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post

by Ionic_Jai

Hi Guys,
I've got an offer to study Accounting and Finance BSc /w Placement (N401) at the University of Southampton this September, and whilst I am really excited, I am also slightly anxious. Having made the Uni my firm choice now, I'll be living at home (as I live 5 mins away from Highfield campus, where A&F lectures take place), and I'm scared I'll miss out on the whole uni social side - especially making friends.
From other experiences I've seen on Insta and TikTok, being in halls is the primary way to make friends and bonding early on, so I'm wondering if staying at home will make things harder socially.
I'm especially hoping to meet ppl through societies - I've looked into cultural ones like Indian Society and Punjabi Society which I'd be interested in joining. Do you guys reckon that will be a good way of finding a solid group of friends, or is it easy to feel on the outside if you are not living on campus?
Anyone else planning to stay home whilst going UoS? Or has anyone done it and still managed to have a great social life? Any advice or experience would rlly help :smile:

Hey!

First of all, huge congrats on your offer to study at the University of Southampton! That's fantastic news.
It's completely understandable why you're feeling a bit anxious about the social side of uni life, especially since you'll be living at home. While living in halls can be a good way to meet people and socialise, it's certainly not the only or even the primary way to make friends at university.
You're already on the right track by thinking about joining societies. I'd highly recommend getting involved with the cultural ones you mentioned, like the Indian Society and Punjabi Society. Societies are an amazing way to connect with people who share your interests and background. From my own experience, I joined societies in my second year and met some great people and made lasting friendships through them.
I get that feeling of being on the outside or missing out when you're not living on campus. I've been living at home and commuting to uni myself, and I can tell you that feeling gradually fades away. You absolutely can still have a great social life!
One tip I can offer is to actively seek out people with shared interests. Try striking up small talk with your classmates – you'll be seeing them a lot! Similarly, when you meet new people at a society event, find out what they're into. If you discover a shared interest, don't hesitate to suggest going to another event or activity together. It's a great way to deepen those initial connections.

I hope this helps ease some of your worries! 😊

Best,
Rachel - Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism

Reply 4

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

Original post

by Ionic_Jai

Hi Guys,
I've got an offer to study Accounting and Finance BSc /w Placement (N401) at the University of Southampton this September, and whilst I am really excited, I am also slightly anxious. Having made the Uni my firm choice now, I'll be living at home (as I live 5 mins away from Highfield campus, where A&F lectures take place), and I'm scared I'll miss out on the whole uni social side - especially making friends.
From other experiences I've seen on Insta and TikTok, being in halls is the primary way to make friends and bonding early on, so I'm wondering if staying at home will make things harder socially.
I'm especially hoping to meet ppl through societies - I've looked into cultural ones like Indian Society and Punjabi Society which I'd be interested in joining. Do you guys reckon that will be a good way of finding a solid group of friends, or is it easy to feel on the outside if you are not living on campus?
Anyone else planning to stay home whilst going UoS? Or has anyone done it and still managed to have a great social life? Any advice or experience would rlly help :smile:

Hi @Ionic_Jai ,

Congratulations on your offer to study at Southampton and I am glad you made it your firm!

I also study Accounting and Finance, and I'll be going into my second year! From my experience, one of my closest friends is a Southampton local, as well. They are a friend from my course, and we met by being put together for a group assignment in our first semester (for our Management module). I don't think, personally, that living in Halls will introduce you to your best friends as much as meeting people on your course and societies will, as these are the people who have similar interests to you, so I really don't think you need to be worried.

I would say to try and really put yourself out there and introduce yourself to people and try and get some sort of contact details to try and stay in touch with them and maybe arrange to hang out, as this will actually allow you to get to know people and become real friends. I know this is so much easier said than done - I'd be lying if I said that this isn't so nerve-wracking and scary, but everyone is in the same boat as you and people will not judge you for trying to have a conversation and make friends. In the very unlikely situation that they do, that's on them and do not let that knock your confidence because the vast majority of students are also craving connection and interaction.

Ask people to hang out, join as many societies as you can, go out, go to events, take all the opportunities that come your way that feel right, and have fun!

I hope this all helps, and you make so many amazing friends! ☺️

Rehman, 2nd Year Accounting and Finance
Student Ambassador

(edited 7 months ago)

Reply 5

YSJ_Alex

Official Rep

Original post

by Ionic_Jai

Hi Guys,
I've got an offer to study Accounting and Finance BSc /w Placement (N401) at the University of Southampton this September, and whilst I am really excited, I am also slightly anxious. Having made the Uni my firm choice now, I'll be living at home (as I live 5 mins away from Highfield campus, where A&F lectures take place), and I'm scared I'll miss out on the whole uni social side - especially making friends.
From other experiences I've seen on Insta and TikTok, being in halls is the primary way to make friends and bonding early on, so I'm wondering if staying at home will make things harder socially.
I'm especially hoping to meet ppl through societies - I've looked into cultural ones like Indian Society and Punjabi Society which I'd be interested in joining. Do you guys reckon that will be a good way of finding a solid group of friends, or is it easy to feel on the outside if you are not living on campus?
Anyone else planning to stay home whilst going UoS? Or has anyone done it and still managed to have a great social life? Any advice or experience would rlly help :smile:

Hey!

One of my best friends at uni travels from Leeds to York for classes, and I met her in one of my seminars through a group exercise and we just clicked! I go to a university with a lot of commuters and we offer activities like coffee mornings so commuters can get to know each other - I’d definitely have a look if your university offers something like this!

In terms of living in halls, I literally barely step foot out of my room during freshers week because I was so anxious, and I don’t see my first year flat mates much either, so sometimes it’s not all it’s made out to be. You’re definitely better off than most commuters considering you live so close to campus - you will be able to visit your friends’ houses and go on nights out with them without having to worry too much about how to get home.

You mentioned societies, which is how I met most of my friends. First year halls are a complete mash-up of random people who will sometimes have nothing in common, whereas if you go to societies for things you are interested in or are relevant to you (such as the Indian and Punjabi society) you’ll meet lots of people who are similar to you who you’ll get along with much easier!

Being anxious about making friends happens to literally everyone, but making friends will genuinely never be as easy as it is during your first year at uni.

Good luck!
Best,
Alex
Student Ambassador

Reply 6

officiallydsm

Original post

by Ionic_Jai

Hi Guys,
I've got an offer to study Accounting and Finance BSc /w Placement (N401) at the University of Southampton this September, and whilst I am really excited, I am also slightly anxious. Having made the Uni my firm choice now, I'll be living at home (as I live 5 mins away from Highfield campus, where A&F lectures take place), and I'm scared I'll miss out on the whole uni social side - especially making friends.
From other experiences I've seen on Insta and TikTok, being in halls is the primary way to make friends and bonding early on, so I'm wondering if staying at home will make things harder socially.
I'm especially hoping to meet ppl through societies - I've looked into cultural ones like Indian Society and Punjabi Society which I'd be interested in joining. Do you guys reckon that will be a good way of finding a solid group of friends, or is it easy to feel on the outside if you are not living on campus?
Anyone else planning to stay home whilst going UoS? Or has anyone done it and still managed to have a great social life? Any advice or experience would rlly help :smile:

Hey! I am starting Southampton uni in September also. If you wanted to talk so there is a familiar face for when you start in September feel free to message me!

Reply 7

nesalearns

Original post

by Ionic_Jai

Hi Guys,
I've got an offer to study Accounting and Finance BSc /w Placement (N401) at the University of Southampton this September, and whilst I am really excited, I am also slightly anxious. Having made the Uni my firm choice now, I'll be living at home (as I live 5 mins away from Highfield campus, where A&F lectures take place), and I'm scared I'll miss out on the whole uni social side - especially making friends.
From other experiences I've seen on Insta and TikTok, being in halls is the primary way to make friends and bonding early on, so I'm wondering if staying at home will make things harder socially.
I'm especially hoping to meet ppl through societies - I've looked into cultural ones like Indian Society and Punjabi Society which I'd be interested in joining. Do you guys reckon that will be a good way of finding a solid group of friends, or is it easy to feel on the outside if you are not living on campus?
Anyone else planning to stay home whilst going UoS? Or has anyone done it and still managed to have a great social life? Any advice or experience would rlly help :smile:

hi! im a first year nursing student and i had the same worry when i started last year. but it sounds like youve got a great plan! youll definitely be able to make frineds through societies, people in your PAT group, etc. and even if youre staying home, living close to uni is a bonus! therell be lots of events you can go to still that might be later at night (this was a struggle for me personally bc i take the train and dont live close enough to stay out late, especially in winter months lol with it getting dark so quickly). but even then, i managed to make friends.. it might seem like everyones in halls at the start but trust me, theres loads that arnt too. it might help if you try to find a gc relating to your course.. i somehow found a nursing one on snapchat and connected to some people before starting which helped me feel a little less nervous. there might not be one already made but check out facebook posts/groups and ask around! its totally normal to feel anxious, all of us do :smile:

. best of luck in your studies next year!