Hopefully the uni offers are starting to fly in and soon-to-be freshers are checking their UCAS more often than their Tinder. You may be able to buy your room decorations, have your freshers’ outfits planned out and even learn how to cook (because you will get bored of stir fry), but the one thing that is impossible to plan, and probably the most nerve-wracking part about starting university, is how you are going to make friends.
Most likely, after being there for a week you’ll wonder what there ever was to worry about. If you don’t believe me, however, then here’s a few icebreaker tips to get to know your new flatmates and make the most of your uni experience.
Join a group chat
This is probably one of the only things you can do before you start uni to meet your flatmates. Every uni has Facebook groups where you can find the people you’ll be living in a flat with, who will be in your hall or on your course. Join them and actually speak in them, even a quick message just to introduce yourself. Add the others on socials so you can get to know the people you will be living and working with which means you will already be friendly with them by the time you get to uni.
Leave your door open
This is such a small gesture which can go a long way. It’s way easier for someone to pop their head into your room when your door is open, it shows you are open and want to meet new people. A closed door can make people think you’re out, busy or not even moved in yet so pack a door stop and go into people’s rooms who leave their door open too.
Bring some drinks
Bringing some beers or homemade treats to share when you move in is a great way to strike up conversation with your new flatmates. Conveniently, people tend to gravitate towards the person handing out free alcohol so grab a crate and watch them pour in.
Join a society
Uni societies are perfect for meeting people with similar interests as you, whether it’s sport, music or Quidditch there is a society for everyone’s interest – and if there isn’t, you can even make one. Societies hold loads of freshers’ events to get to know people and you can join as just a social member without having to play or train if that’s more appealing to you.
Have a flat meal
One of the perks of catered halls is you have dinner with your entire hall which gives you a chance to meet and socialise with a lot of people. One of the perks of non-catered halls is that you don’t have to eat catered hall meals. But, if you are in non-catered and want those social meals, why don’t you organise a dinner with your flat. You could go fancy and dress up with a three-course meal, make a roast together for a wholesome Sunday, or make a huge nacho table for everyone to share. Everyone loves food and it’s a great way to do something together, hang out and bond.
Go to your lectures
I’m either stating the obvious here or suggesting the worst. You may think you’re going to attend all your lectures right now but trust me, when you’ve got a 4-day hangover from freshers, waking up before midday seems criminal. However, going to your lectures and seminars from the beginning is a great way to meet people on your course, at a time when they’re all going to be looking to meet course friends too. So, don’t sit at the back on your own fighting the urge to sleep, sit next to some people and compare hangovers instead! It’ll be worth it when you have someone to do an all-nighter with, for that coursework that’s due the next day of course.
Go on a night out
There are loads of events in the first few weeks of uni and they don’t stop much afterwards either. Going on a night out with your flatmates is a great way to bond. The best way to meet more people is by inviting a couple of the flats around to yours for pre-drinks. It’s quite hard to meet and speak to people in a club so pre-drinks is a great way to play some games, have a few (or a lot of) drinks and get to know people casually. If you don’t like clubbing, there are loads of different activities in cities that are a great way to mingle with people: crazy golf, escape rooms and of course, the pub.
Once your freshers’ hangover subsides, go explore your new city!
Message home-friends at your uni
If you know someone going to the same uni as you, or that is already there, message them and suggest meeting up. After the hype of freshers has died down, or if you are struggling to make friends, then hanging out with friends from home can be a great way to feel more comfortable as well as being able to meet their friends too.
Film Nights
Order some food, stick on a good film and just chill. This one’s great for those hangover days when you don’t have the energy to mingle but still want to hang out with some friends.
Literally, just go up to them and say hi
This may sound obvious, and may also make you question why you’d need the other points if this was the nerve-wracking way of meeting people you were hoping to avoid. But, you aren’t the only one who is going to be nervous about meeting people and every fresher is new and looking to make friends. Just going up to someone in your block and saying hi is the easiest way to make new friends. It’s something we all hope someone will do to take the weight off our shoulders, so why not do it yourself and you’d be surprised at how easy it is after that.
Finally, don’t put pressure on yourself. You’re going to meet new people constantly throughout university and your best friends might not necessarily be the ones you meet in freshers. Enjoy it, it’ll be graduation before you know it.
