Fretting You’ll Be Friendless At Uni? Find Your Crowd With These 5 Tips

Going into higher education can be a very daunting experience, not least because you’re tasked with finding a new clique. It took you long enough to settle in at school, for goodness’ sake!

Fear not. We’ve managed to cobble together a few tips you can use to maximise your chances of finding a great group of pals!

This isn’t to say that your phone won’t still be filled with random contacts whose faces you can’t recognise. And you’ll still grudgingly need to put up with the loudmouths in your hall. Still, beggars can’t be choosers – right?

1. Keep your door open!

The first foray into your room is the hardest, especially when you can’t find any other people on your floor. Where has everyone gone? Are people socialising without me?

Keep your door open! It’s very likely that you’ve arrived early, or they’ve taken a quick trip to the shops and will be back soon. By keeping your door ajar, you ensure that any newcomers immediately learn of your existence, and that a greeting is in the making! They might even catch a glimpse of that cool poster your mum definitely didn’t buy you.

2. Take people to town!

Studies have found that many students attend universities upwards of ninety miles from home. If this sounds like you, why not check out some cool places to visit with your new friends? There should be a local tourism page online, or check the university magazine for suggestions too.

Any ideas you have will come in handy when some fellow freshers want a break from the weekly university-run club night – you could mention a cute cocktail bar (hello Happy Hour!), the local ‘spoons, or even an art gallery if you’re in a contemplative mood.

By doing something a bit different, you’re more likely to cement friendships in a meaningful way. Catch-ups are less fun when one of you is vomiting into a bin. You never know, you could have found your new secret hangout. Or if you don’t mind other people getting word of this intel, there’s bound to be more eager to tag along next time!

3. Dress to impress!

Don’t take this at face value. You’ll be more comfortable lounging around the kitchen in your PJs than in a formal outfit. However, it might be a good idea to wear a bit of clothing which says something about your interests – check out the merchandise from your fave band or a festival that you love, or wear a slogan tee. That way, you’re starting a conversation with like-minded Freshers without even opening your mouth!

By rocking a statement ensemble, you’ll be sending out a signal to your anonymous kindred spirits that you’re well overdue a fan-girling or fan-guying sesh! Appreciation awaits!

4. Get stuck into societies!

If you haven’t found people you click with in your block, then there are lots of other ways to make friends. One of the best things you can do is to join a society. Prices will range from a couple of quid to the £100 mark depending where your passions lie.

Societies are a great way to meet people who have a longstanding involvement in a similar activity. If you’ve played football since you were young, why not try out for the university league team, or play jumpers and goalposts if you want a more laid-back kickabout?

Societies can also act as a great opportunity to take up an interest that was hitherto undiscovered! Who knew giant Frisbee or hiking up Snowdonia could be so much fun? Whether this is something you’ve been doing for a long time or something that you’ve never tried before, it’s a great way to increase your social circle to those outside of your corridor.

5. Reach out to people!

Unfortunately, freshers isn’t just one big party. There will be times when you feel lonely and question if you’ve made friends with the right people.

While you might not be aware of it, we’re sure that everyone else will be feeling the same (and if they say they aren’t, they’re lying). With this in mind, don’t hesitate to invite the person you bumped into the other night for a coffee together, or to chill in your room and catch up on the latest Orange Is The New Black.

Trust us, they will welcome an opportunity for some one-on-one time away from the hustle and bustle of campus life!

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