Top 6 Tips on How To Make Friends at University

Whether you just started university or have been here for a while, a question that a lot of university students think about is how to make friends at university.

University life is usually portrayed to be the blissful and amazing time of your life with so many friends and memories. But there are a lot of people who haven’t clicked with anyone yet or met their crowd. 

If you relate to that, don’t worry because there are plenty of other students who feel just like that. This is why in this blog, we have gathered the best tips on how you can make friends at university.

1. Prepare yourself to meet new people

The transition between school to university or just moving to a different university can be a difficult one. You are so used to your routine that the process of starting over can seem daunting. 

To be able to make new friends, you need to prepare yourself to be open to meeting new people. While this seems obvious, a lot of people tend to hold back and resist meeting new people and giving them a chance if they dont hit it off immediately. 

This could be because people are so used to their long-term friends knowing everything about them that having to start over again might be something that people subconsciously resist. 

This is why you need to be open to meeting new people with different perspectives, even if it is not what you are used to, cause that is what helps you grow.

But you should always have clear boundaries from the beginning. You wouldn’t want to end up with a crowd that’s not right for you just because you wanted to fit in cause it only makes you feel worse in the long run. 

2. Join Clubs/ Societies

One of the best ways for you to be able to make friends at university is by joining different societies and clubs.

All universities have several societies that cater towards different interests like music, art, religion, culture and more. This can allow you to meet people who share the same interests and potentially make new friends as well!

You can also consider joining the different sports clubs in the university. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a sport that you are great at cause most of these clubs will offer taster sessions and training, so people who are beginners can learn more about the sport.

By joining a sports club, you not only get to challenge yourself in a new way but also connect with several others who are learning to do the same!

3. Volunteer at Local Shops

Volunteering has several benefits for students. It can not only give you the experience to help the community and learn more about different functions in that organisation, but it also gives you the wonderful chance to meet new people. 

You get the chance to work with people from all different walks of life and it is not limited to your university or your student accommodation. This broadens your horizons with friends as well as your perspective in life. 

So if you are wondering how to make friends at university, definitely look up volunteering opportunities in your area and sign up for the ones that interest you.

Read this blog on the 7 Best Volunteering Opportunities for Students in The UK to find exciting opportunities that you can consider.

4. Participate in Campus Activities 

Universities host several events throughout the year to increase student engagement. Most of the time, they will be recruiting students who can work part-time to help with events or volunteers to help with the same.

By taking up a role as a student ambassador or volunteering to organise these events, you get the opportunity to meet amazing students from all different courses.

You can learn from their university experience, and meet new friends all while organising fun events for students. It will look great on your resume too, so that’s certainly a plus!

5. Use Apps

Apps are not only for dating but for meeting friends too! Several apps are catered towards helping university students make friends. 

One such app is Umii. This app requires you to create an account, choose your university and verify your university email before you start viewing profiles. You can add your different interests and the app will send you 5-7 users whose interests match yours. 

Download the Umii App to learn more. 

Bumble BFF is another such app that you can use to make friends. However, this is not limited to university students alone. This works just like any other dating app except you will be swiping through profiles to see if you would like to be friends with them. Download the BumbleBFF App to find out more. 

But always be careful with sharing personal details on any app for safety reasons.

6. Use Social Media

Similar to apps, social media can be a great way through which you can connect with people. Facebook groups are a great example of these. Most universities have official groups that students can join so that they can connect with students before university starts. 

They also regularly update the group about any new events in the university. Finding such groups from your university can also be a great way through which you can make new friends. 

University life offers a unique opportunity to meet people from various backgrounds and create lasting bonds. So, seize the chance, step out of your comfort zone, and embark on a journey filled with friendship, support, and shared adventures that will make your university years truly unforgettable.

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