Starting university can be exciting and a little nerve-wracking, especially when it comes to making new friends. But you don’t have to wait until you arrive on campus to start building those friendships! Here is a social prep guide to making friends before your term starts!
Join online groups and forums
Almost every university have their own Facebook groups and forums dedicated to freshers students. Join these groups and start talking! Start by introducing yourself with a fun fact - it’s an easy way to break the ice and find people with similar vibes!
Slide into DMs (politely!)
Most universities have a university freshers Instagram page where they have posts of other freshers including a little introduction in the caption. This is a great way to find people who have similar interests to you! Send them a message! It could be as simple as: “Hey, I saw you’re into [common interest]! My name is [your name] and I’m excited to meet you!”. You’d be surprised how many people are just as keen to make new friends as you are.
You can always engage with posts and stories on your university’s social media pages. this can lead to conversations and connections with fellow students.
Group chats for courses
Similar to joining online groups, Facebook groups usually lead to WhatsApp group chats which can be specific for courses, societies and student accommodation. This is another great way to talk to fellow students. You’ll feel much more comfortable when you finally meet in person!
Plan meet-ups
This is the next stage after finding group chats and fellow freshers on social media. Meeting up before a fresher’s event to go together makes events feel less overwhelming!
Be yourself - the right people will find you
Be genuine! Don’t try to be someone you’re not just to fit in. Authenticity attracts authentic people and you’ll form much stronger and more meaningful friendships.
Conclusion
Just remember, everyone is in the same boat here and will be willing to make friends with you! Good luck and have fun!
