My top 3 tips for making friends at Uni

Moving to uni can be nerve wracking in many ways. With lots of elements of change it’s helpful to meet people who are also going through the same transition as you, that being said making new friends at uni can be so overwhelming and daunting! Hopefully, these tips help you to make some lifelong friendships. 

1. Be yourself to find your people

Although I love meeting new people, I was worried that I wouldn't find friends that I clicked with and who shared similar interests to me initially. But one thing I quickly realised is there are so many people at university, you will definitely find your people!

When meeting new people, it’s important to be yourself. Whether you're introverted or extroverted, you will find your people out there at University of Birmingham. By being yourself, you will connect with like-minded people that you click with.

2. Say yes to everything

Freshers Week is an amazing opportunity to meet people and make new friends, as well as in your accommodation, at Birmingham based events or just out and about. Getting involved is important, so say yes and put yourself out there even if you feel a little bit nervous!

At the same time, don’t put pressure on yourself to make 100 friends during the first week, I personally met most of my closest friends outside of Freshers Week. In lectures, events and at the societies I joined. These places are useful in naturally connecting you with people who share your interests whether it be sport, music, your course or a hobby. So, if you don’t meet too many people during Freshers Week, don’t worry, your people are out there, just be patient!

3. Spend quality time with the friends you have

Making friends is one thing, maintaining those friendships is another. With busy uni schedules, time can slip away easily. Make sure you take the time to hang out with your newfound friends; go out for food, a night out, play games, have a picnic (perfect for spring/summer in Birmingham), watch a movie, bake or even study together.

It’s important to invest quality time into these new friendships and actually get to know each another.

Those are my three top tips for making friends at university, although the whole making new friends thing can feel scary at the beginning, the friends you make here will be some of the most important people in your life, so remember to be yourself, stay open and just go for it!