Three friends in embrace smile at the camera

#Welcome #Welcome 2021

Making friends at uni: LUU’s top tips

University is a brilliant place to meet like-minded people and make friends for life. Faced with a much wider pool of people to get to know, and countless ways to meet them, the social side of uni life is an exciting prospect. But it can be a daunting one too.

Whether you’re a new or returning student, it’s normal to feel a bit nervous about finding your people at University. The good news is that everyone is in the same boat. There’s no such thing as a missed chance to make friends, and as your Union, we’re here to provide all the groups, events, clubs and societies that should make finding friends at uni a breeze. Take a look at our top tips for making friends at uni below.

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1. Join the Official LUU Leeds Student Community on Facebook
This Facebook group is your place to connect with your peers, see what’s going on in the Leeds student community, and to share ideas, opportunities and events. A great way to find course mates and flatmates ahead of time and to break the ice before you’ve even met.

2. Be brave & make the first move
It’s easier said than done, but one of the very best things you can do to make friends is to be the one to make the first move. If you’re living in halls or similar accommodation, be the one to knock on flatmates’ doors and introduce yourself, set up a group chat, or even help them to move into their new room if you’re already unpacked. Likewise with your course – introduce yourself to as many people as you can in your School welcome or first classes, or suggest heading for a coffee after your session. The longer you leave it the scarier it will become – you’ll thank yourself for throwing caution to the wind and just doing it (and so will your newly-made friends!). Even if you don’t end up being the best of friends, it’s always useful to make connections with the people you’re studying with, and will help build your confidence in social situations.

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3. Get involved with clubs and societies
At LUU we have over 300 clubs and societies. Covering everything from cultural and religious groups, to academic societies where you can hang out with your coursemates, as well as sports, performance groups and more general interest societies, there really is something for everyone. Clubs and societies are the best way to meet like-minded people in a relaxed setting, develop new interests and skills, and to connect with students from outside of your accommodation or course who you might otherwise not meet. And if you’re worried about making friends in second year and beyond, you can rest assured that clubs and societies are for everyone, no matter your year or level of study – so they’re a foolproof way to make friends at any point during your time at Leeds. Try Find Your Fit, our 60 second club-finder quiz, for some different suggestions of groups to join.

4. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
It can be easy to feel like everyone around you is making friends, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. The truth is, the vast majority of students will be feeling exactly the same, and taking the time to meet people they really connect with – which means that once you get over the hurdle of being brave enough to chat to the people around you, chances are making friends will be much easier than you think.

Not putting too much pressure on yourself to make lifelong friends in the first week of uni is really crucial here – if it is enduring friendships you want to make, then it’ll take some time to discover the people you can truly connect with. Don’t rush it, remember that you’re doing no worse than anyone else, and throw yourself into all the events, activities and opportunities LUU has to offer. You’ll be surprised at the results.