making friends in second year
Reply 1
I really feel for you… that sounds like such a tough spot to be in, especially when you’ve already made it halfway through second year and it feels like everyone else has their friendship groups sorted. You’re definitely not alone in this though, a lot more people than you’d think are in the same position, even if they don’t talk about it.
It’s easy to feel like it’s too late to meet people, but honestly, it never is. Friend groups shift and change all the time at uni, people move courses, drop out, or just grow apart, which means there are always others looking to make new connections too. You could try joining a new society, volunteering, or even going to smaller, casual events like study groups or workshops…they can be less intimidating and a great way to meet people naturally through shared interests.
If you have any classmates you get along with, maybe start with small things, suggesting a study session, grabbing a coffee after lectures, or chatting before class. Friendships don’t have to happen instantly; sometimes they build slowly over those little moments of connection.
It might also help to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, whether that’s a student wellbeing advisor, a counsellor, or even a tutor you feel comfortable with. It’s not just about loneliness; it’s about wanting to feel part of something, and that’s a really valid need. Don’t forget about your connections from home either, keep in contact with friends and family. You could even plan trips home so you’re still connected and less lonely while still working on your new connections!
When I started somewhere new later in life, it took me ages to find my people…but they did come, just not in the way or at the pace I expected. Keep being open and kind, because those small interactions really do add up. You’ve got loads of time left at uni, and you never know when that next real friendship will click into place.
Good luck…I really hope you find your people soon. Sophie 🙂
Reply 2
Hi,
I hope you are well, sorry to hear that you are feeling like this but I can assure you that it is a lot more common than you think and you certainly will not be the only one feeling this way.
I know it seems like everyone has cemented themselves into a friend group and therefore it might seem impossible to be able to find people however, so many people will be thinking the same as you and will want to get out there and meet new people and make new friends! My best advice for meeting new people would be to join societies. They are an amazing way to socialise with people who have a common interest with you and you can join them at any point in the year. Is there anything you enjoy doing in your spare time? or any sport you are keen on? The likelihood of there being a society that includes something that you enjoy is very high and would be a great way for you to keep busy and talk to lots of friendly new people!
As mentioned above in another response, talking to someone would help a lot. Whether this is a family member, a friend or even someone at the uni. You could talk to a lecturer if you get along particularly well with them or there should be a student support team on campus. I know at LJMU you can book an appointment or simply just drop In and speak to someone about any issues you are having. They will be extremely friendly and definitely help you out!
I hope this response has helped, let me know if you have any other questions, I am more than happy to help!
Good luck with everything going forward, keep going! It will all work out in the end.
Thanks, Matt 🙂
Official LJMU Student Rep
Reply 3
Hi Anom,
You have had some excellent advice. I would love to add my opinion. 😊
People often have the perception that it is harder to make friends once freshers/ first year is over, however this is completely false. You can make friends at any point in university. Personally, I've ended up with different friends each year depending on my classes, people tend to be open to new friends all year round.
My main recommendation for making close connections is joining societies 🗣️. Head onto your universities student union website and there should be a list of societies and even sports clubs. Whether it's an existing hobby, or something completely new, give it a go! The purpose of societies is to find like-minded people therefore making them very welcoming. With many societies, there are new people at each event as people join all year round.
Another recommendation is getting a part-time job 🧑*🍳. This can be an excellent way to meet new people and create bonds with your co-workers. Even if you decide not to bond with those you work with, the role should build your confidence up which can benefit you when making friends later on.
The most important point to remember is many other people are in the same boat, you are not alone. Making friends can be difficult, but putting yourself out there, even if its uncomfortable, can make a huge difference.
I hope this helps, please feel free to ask me any questions,
-Sophia (University of Central Lancashire)
Reply 4
Hi @Anonymous 👋
It can take time to make friends and it is better if you takes you longer to find good friends and i would suggest going to societies or events as they can be helpful for meeting new people. Have you been to any events like that yet?
Essex Student Rep - Lavanya 💜
Reply 5
Hi there,
I completely understand how you are feeling so I just thought I would respond to this with some ideas on how you could meet people and make friends, or ways that I have made friends throughout being at university:
•
Firstly, joining societies! I know you'll have heard this one before but I think that these are one of the best ways of meeting lots of new people. It doesn't matter either that you are in second year as you can still join them and still meet the same amount of people. You can also start after Christmas and lots of people will also join then so you won't be the only one who will be joining at that time which might be nice. Have a look on your SU's website as it will tell you what they have and if you are interested in any.
•
See if your SU puts any events on. These can be really fun and a great way of meeting lots of new people so have a look again on the SU website and see of they do anything. Also having a look on their social media may be good too as this will show what they do and you can also see pictures etc so it might be good too.
•
Have a look on social media as there will often be people there which you can chat to. There are often groups on Facebook where you can meet people and chat and then potentially make some friends. It is worth a try anyway so have a look and see if there are any for you to join.
•
You could also see if there are any clubs or groups in the local area as these are good and can be nice as they are often disconnected from your uni so you can meet people you otherwise wouldn't have met! I know there are often sports clubs or sometimes craft type things which may be fun to join so it is worth checking.
•
Talking to people in your lectures is a great idea too if you don't do this much as they will probably be quite grateful, especially if they also don't chat to many people in there. You could ask them if they wanted to go for a coffee or even just go to the library!
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
Reply 6
Hey, I totally get how you’re feeling — it’s really common, especially in second year when friendship groups seem kind of “set.” You’re definitely not alone in this. I had a different situation with a fall out with people I was friends with in 1st year so in my second year I felt like I was starting all over.
Sometimes just chatting to people before/after lectures, joining a study group, or even asking a coursemate to grab a coffee can make a difference. Also, societies can be worth another try — not necessarily to “make friends fast,” but to meet people with similar interests over time.
Don’t be too hard on yourself — friendships can take a while to click, and lots of people are in the same boat even if it doesn’t seem that way.
Kind regards Aneta PhD Chemistry
Reply 7
Hey,
I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling this way, especially this far into your second year. That feeling of being halfway through and still searching for connections is genuinely frustrating. Please know that you are not failing at uni life; friendships can take time to build, especially after the initial rush of the first year.
The best plan now is to target people who are also looking for friendship, in places where talking is the main point:
•
Focus on Small Groups: Forget massive society events. Join a specific, small club (like a specific course society, a niche hobby, or a book club) or a study group. When there are only 4 or 5 people, it allows you to engage, and those bonds deepen faster.
•
Use Campus Resources: Look for resources specifically for social anxiety or making connections. Your University Wellbeing Team may run group workshops on social skills or confidence that can help you break the pattern of shyness you mentioned.
•
Check the Students' Union: Definitely check if your Students' Union is running any specific, low-key events right now designed to help students connect. They often host things like coffee mornings, or speed-friending can be super helpful.
Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism
Quick Reply
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