It is known 43% of students have had experienced anxiety, loneliness and feelings of not being able to cope whilst being at University. Don’t worry, this is completely normal. Making friends isn’t easy for many people and being in the same friendship group since school and sixth form can often make you forget how to make new ones. Following these tips will be able to help you reduce these emotional stresses.
Get Skype/Facetime – Having your friends and family back at home to talk to will help comfort and reassure you through the early stages of being at University.
Join societies – This means the people in the society will have similar interests to you which helps with conversation starters and being able to bond over a common hobby. It also gives you the chance to meet people off your course. Giving you a broad range of people to socialise with.
Go to flat parties and your common room – This is essential to meeting people from around your accommodation and get to know the people you’ll be bumping into. It gives you somewhere to hang out other than your flat.
Hang out with your flat mates – They will be in the same situation as you. So go talk to them, arrange things to do together and try keep your door open so they feel they can come in and chat to you. In fresher’s week, they are your instant friends to go out with so appreciate them.
Keep yourself busy – By doing this, you will think less about having lack of friends and feeling lonely. At the end of the day, you are there to learn. Friends will come eventually. You’ve just got to give it time.
Go out as much as you can – You need to get yourself out there and introduce yourself to people, what’s the worst that can happen? Whatever invite/opportunity comes your way, take it with both hands.
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