How to make friends at university: tips for Freshers

Whether it looks it or not, every new student worries about making new friends at university. We all feel anxious and uncertain. But everyone wants to find friendly faces.

No matter how nervous you are, or what you like to do, you will find your feet at university soon enough.

So, if you're wondering how to make friends in Freshers' Week, keep reading. We break down five ways to put yourself out there and get to know people at university.

1. Join group chats

Social media is an all-powerful entity. Now, you can meet people at university before you've even got there. Joining Facebook groups for your university, your course, and your accommodation is a great way to meet people. You can then join group chats and introduce yourself ahead of time. That way, there will be a few familiar faces (or at least names) once you actually arrive.

2. Keep your door open

The temptation to hide in your room when you're feeling shy is so real. But push yourself. Get a door stop and prop your door open from the moment you arrive at your accommodation. Yes, even when you're unpacking. This allows your flatmates to pop their heads in as they pass by and introduce themselves. It makes introductions a more casual experience, and helps to take the pressure off. If you shut your door, people won't know if you're in there or not, and you'll appear less approachable.

3. Meet people in your accommodation

When making friends in your accommodation, don't limit yourself to your flatmates. Your halls will be made up of lots of different flats. What are the chances that your best friends will have been randomly allocated as your next-door neighbours? You might find that you click better with the people who live below you. Or above you. Or in the next building. But you'll never know if you don't introduce yourself.

Once you've met your flatmates, why not suggest that you all go and introduce yourselves to your neighbouring flats? You could invite them to dinner or pres with you, and get some drinking games (or just games, if you don't want to drink) to break the ice. (Top tip: it's always a good idea to bring a pack of cards to uni.)

4. Go to your intro lectures

Your course induction sessions might feel like a waste of time, but they're definitely not. Not only will you learn valuable things about how your course will be laid out, these sessions will give you the opportunity to meet other people who study your course. You could even post on your accommodation group chats asking if anyone who studies the same course wants to go there together. You'll meet someone new before you even arrive! Plus, you'll have someone to walk there with so you can find the lecture hall together.

Don't be shy. Ask to sit next to people and strike up conversations. The chances are, they'll be happy you did. By introducing yourself early, you'll have a few friendly faces on your course, and you can even plan to sit together once lectures start properly.

5. Join uni societies

If you ask most students how to make friends at university, they'll have the same answer: join societies. There's a wide and diverse range of societies on offer at uni. You'll see everything from sports to drama to student papers. Take a wander around your Freshers' Fair and see if anything takes your fancy. You'll be able to talk to the students at the stalls and get a sense of what might be a good fit for you. Most societies will hold regular get-togethers and socials that aren't directly related to the activity the club is centred around. They're a great way to break the ice and get to know some new people.

Your new best friends are waiting

Of course, these aren't the only ways to make friends at university, but they're a great starting point. Just keep putting yourself out there and sooner or later you'll find your people. Just think: pretty soon, you'll be telling incoming Freshers how to make friends at university.

Looking for more Freshers advice? Check out our blog on the top ten mistakes to avoid as a Fresher.