Struggling to find friends at uni

[hamish_c7]

Hi all, this is my first post ever on this website. I guess I'll jump right into it. I'm a male first year student who's finding it really difficult to make friends with people at uni. It's been pretty rough going from highschool where I was fairly popular with a good circle of mates to uni where I know virtually no one. I have friends from highschool at uni with me but I want to meet new people as well. I've made friendly acquaintances with people in my lectures/tutorials but nothing really past that. I know its only the end of week 2 but I'm really missing having a social life. Any advice?

[hamish_c7]

Just to add to my post - I'm not introverted or particularly lacking in social skills and I enjoy spending time with people so I'm not nervous about speaking to/hanging out with people. I'm just lonely is all.

[D84]

Hi Hamish, here's two small ideas of advice.

• Try looking at any, particularly social, events clubs at your Uni are running.
• Add people on Facebook and join any relevant groups (Eg. Year/Degree group). You could ask acquaintances through Messenger to catch up for food/drinks or do something you both like?

[happycarrot]

hey there hamish 🙂

kind of echoing D84's post

I felt much the same as you in first year (i'm seccond year now)

but turned it around by joining several clubs and turning up to events. I totally reccomend it. it took time, but that's how i made most of my university friends. its a good way to make friends with people in other departments too

[ro5i3]

Hi Hamish 🙂 I've been at uni a few years now and I totally understand what your saying about the big change in the social atmosphere. This is what I've learnt in my own experience and from what I've learnt working with a psychologist at the uni:

- Its often difficult to make friends in lectures and tutes. In the last few years I've only made one friend that I've stayed in contact with this way

- If your uni runs sports comps you could join a team. My uni has the competitive comps for people who are really into their sport, and social comps for people who want to meet others and have a friendly game

- It took me a couple of years to get into this one, but join a society that you are interested in, and start going to some events. It could be a personal interest (e.g., anime, sustainability) or related to your degree (e.g., engineering society, criminology society)

- Keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities on campus

- Most uni's seem to have a campus wellbeing centre and you can usually make an appointment to chat with a professional who also knows all about the uni and could give you some advice directly related to your campus