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Five ways to make friends at university

Student Life

Five ways to make friends at university 

Meeting like-minded people and making friends for life is one of the best things about going to university, but how can you meet people?  Here are some ways you can make new friends.

  • Attend Welcome Week

Welcome Week is the perfect opportunity to find out what’s available and experience university life. There are fun events planned for freshers during Welcome Week such as BBQ’s, karaoke nights and the societies fair.

Whether it be joining sports clubs you’re interested in, or taking part in Students’ Union activities, university is a great time to try new hobbies that challenge you. Find out more about Northumbria’s Students’ Union at mynsu.co.uk

  • Join a club or society

Northumbria has a huge range of clubs and societies, so whether you want to join a club or society that will satisfy one of your interests or learn a new sport or hobby, there is something for everyone.

Societies are a great way to meet people with the same interests and you’ll be able to find out information about them during Freshers Week. Once you’ve signed up, make sure you go along to meetings and events regularly.

  • Get to know your neighbours

Living in student accommodation means you will get to meet loads of new people as soon as you move in. Make sure you introduce yourself to your flatmates or people living on your floor, as they will be just as keen to meet someone.

Another good way to meet new friends is to hang out in communal spaces such as the university accommodation kitchen, or common rooms and strike up a conversation. You’ll soon build a network of friends.

  • Chat to your course mates

Tutorials, seminars and lectures are great places to meet new friends, so don’t be afraid to chat to people on your course.  Sit next to people and introduce yourself. Making friends with course mates is very beneficial, in case you happen to miss a lecture or need someone to discuss what you need to do for a written assignment or project. Also, attend faculty events as these are another good way to network and meet lecturers and older students who can share their advice and experience about your course.

  • Explore the local area

Once you have made a few friends, head out into town and explore the local area as Newcastle is one of the friendliest and liveliest cities in the UK, as it has been named as the Best UK Student City in Student Hut's 'Best for 2019' league table. It’s definitely a great place to be a student, as one in six people in the city is a student.

So go out and explore, as you will discover parts of your new home that you don’t see walking to campus every day.  There are plenty of hidden gems tucked away, and you’ll find the places you discover by accident soon become some of your favourite haunts.

 

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