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University life is jam-packed, and comes with many ways to meet new people and form new bonds that could last a lifetime.
Whether you’re into sports, you’re a foodie or a film buff, university life gives you plenty of opportunities for making friends, with a wide variety of societies, university events and things to do on offer.
If you’re looking for a friendly face when you get to UEA, our peer-to-peer buddy(su) scheme is there to help. Open to anyone new to campus, whether you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate student, your buddy will be matched to you based on your shared interests or course. They are there to help you navigate a new campus and new people, offering a supportive shoulder when you need it.
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For many, university is the first time you’ll be exposed to brand-new experiences and challenges, meaning you have more opportunity than ever to find your people.
Most importantly when figuring out how to make new friends at uni, don’t be afraid to say yes to new experiences. Sometimes the most frightening or nerve-wracking situations can be the ones that benefit you the most.
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The first week of uni is Welcome Week, where students settle into their new schedule, explore their new campus and prepare for upcoming lectures. During Welcome Week, there will be events, activities and nights out hosted across campus, that not only give you a taste of your new university life, but are a great opportunity to meet people and make friends.
Welcome Week isn’t just about going out: there’s plenty of events designed to help you find your people. Heading to Welcome Week events with an open mind will help you get the most out of new experiences and find common ground. Explore by yourself or meet other people alongside your flatmates if you’re staying in university accommodation, with the help of Residential Life events like Meet Your Neighbourhood. If you’re commuting to campus, you’ll also be invited to specific events to meet other commuters, and help you settle into your new community.
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Attending lectures and seminars on a weekly basis is a crucial part of university education, but it is also how many people make friends at uni. You and your new course mates already have one thing in common, so you’re sure to find similar ground! Make sure to sit next to other students, introduce yourself and engage in group discussions. If you live in the same accommodation as fellow coursemates, or you’re travelling in to campus, arrange a meeting point to walk to classes together.
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Once you have been introduced to coursemates and classes are in full swing, consider joining a School Society or setting up a study group. Your School Society can help you stay focused and will benefit you academically, as well as being a great way to get to know people better. Study groups can be hosted at the library for easy access to resources, but our welcoming Students Union or the many cafes in Norwich are also great meeting spaces to keep things informal.
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Even before leaving for university, you’ll be invited to Unibuddy groups to get to know your new course mates, and flatmates if you’re living in uni accommodation. Whether it’s Unibuddy, an accommodation chat or hobby-specific group, these groups are a great way to get to know other students both before and during your first semester. Having some familiar faces to spot before the big move will help to ease any nerves.
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There are many more ways to make friends after Welcome Week ends, too. Joining a society when moving to university is one of the most common ways to meet like-minded people. Societies cover interests from chess clubs to social activities, while our sports facilities will help you enjoy a huge range of sports and activities. Whether joining a sport you have been playing since childhood, or picking up a brand-new hobby, most societies and sports teams hold social events and nights out so it’s easy to get stuck in and make new friends.
If you want to try a few different activities, Residential Life hold informal weekly drop-in sessions, that you can visit without booking ahead.
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If you’re living in accommodation, you might assume you and your flatmates will be instant friends once you move to university, but it’s okay if you don’t click straight away: your housemates are just one section of your potential new friendship groups.
Our friendly, compact campus means you’ll see the same faces, day-to-day. Take the time to say hi to new people you recognise, whether you bump into them in the library, during your commute into campus, or out and about. Everybody's wondering how to make friends during their time at university, so initiate the conversation. Invite your coursemates over for a games tournament, a movie night or a drink, and watch a new friendship group form.
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For those keen to branch out and make friends outside of campus too, getting a part-time job can be a great way to meet people from a range of different backgrounds. Coffee shops, restaurants, supermarkets and retail shops all typically accept part-time employees, so you can make money, make friends and gain valuable work experience alongside your studies. Our tailored CareerCentral service collates both part-time paid and voluntary work opportunities for you to explore. If you’re interested in voluntary work in the local community, you could also try our SU’s volunteering and outreach projects.
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If you live locally, or you’ll be commuting to campus for lectures and seminars, there’s plenty of opportunities to meet new people in a similar situation, too. Our commuter student society is designed specifically for local students, with a range of meetups and non-alcohol focused socials hosted around your course schedule.
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While there are plenty of ways to make friends during your time at uni, becoming a student representative is another great way to engage in university life. Student representatives aim to ensure that the university is providing the best learning experience possible, by representing the views of their peers. Through the academic representative programme, you can meet other reps with similar interests, and build great friendships while working on a common cause.
Worries about making friends at university are a common concern amongst new students, but UEA’s friendly, welcoming environment makes our campus a great place to make friends for life. Explore UEA life to find out more about your new home.
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