How to beat the student loneliness bug

It is often said that university is where you make your friends for life. For many students, this will be the first time since starting secondary school that you’ll be amongst an entirely new group of people, and whilst it’s an amazing opportunity, some of you may find it daunting. We’ve all had days alone where we’re not sure what to do and for some, despite their hopes, this is too regular an occurrence. Many of us enjoy our alone time but for others it can lead to feelings of loneliness and negatively impact their mental health. With that in mind, here are some of the best ways to avoid student loneliness.

The Freshers’ Fair
University allows you more freedom than you will ever have to be anything you want, and the Freshers’ Fair has the unique ability of showing you the vast possibilities. You may find yourself signing up for sports or activities that you’ve never even heard of, but that’s okay! Because they’ll lead to meeting new people and help you to better realise your interests.

Freshers’ Fair is a chance to find out what’s going on at the Students’ Union

Societies
Whether it’s being part of a sports team that travels the country, partaking in a drama production or meeting for weekly films, societies are one of the best ways to meet new people at university. Not only will people share your interests, but you may even get the chance to help run one. Most societies even have a dedicated Social Secretary just to plan the events and nights out, so there’s guaranteed opportunities for socialising.

Volunteering
Bristol is an amazing city – it’s cultural, vibrant and friendly, but like all cities it also has its flaws, which you can help with. Whether it’s helping at a foodbank, raising money for a charity of your choice or being a part of a university-wide scheme like the yearly Big Give, there are many ways to lend a hand. Inevitably you will be helping alongside others, and so volunteering is an excellent way to make new friends and be an all-round good person.

Volunteering is a great way to meet people with whom you share common values

Sharing a drink
This is not an advocation of alcohol, but rather a reminder of the fact that one of the best ways to meet up with people – whether for a friendly hang-out or a more personal date – is getting a drink. By this I mean inviting someone round for tea, meeting in a coffee shop and yes, the student cliché, going down the pub.

Nights out
Clubs are not for everyone, but for many they’re a staple of student life. It’s important to know that if it’s not for you then you shouldn’t feel forced to go, and it’s perfectly okay not to. For those that do enjoy clubs, they can be a fun experience to share with friends and make new ones. Bonds can even grow deeper with end-of-evening heart to hearts, funny stories and portions of chips.

Balancing your work life
University is expensive and for many there is great impetus to do well, which can sometimes lead to prioritising too much work over your social life. Yes you should do your best, but maintaining good mental health is one of the most important aspects of university life, and a staple of that is making time to socialise. Friendships should be grown and nurtured, and if you work every hour of every day, this doesn’t happen.

Halls of residence offer a great chance to meet people in your first year

Making an effort in halls
This isn’t true for everyone, but the friends you make in halls may be with you throughout your university life. Often they’re the people you’ll live with in later years and so it’s one of the best opportunities to meet people. Have a corridor Facebook chat, have film nights, go on nights out together – the possibilities are numerous.

Being open
Life isn’t like Friends, where you have that perfect gender-split group that does everything together. It’s good to hang out with different groups to cover all your interests, and it’s not good to be on the look-out for the perfect friend, because I can guarantee that no one is exactly like you. Have an open door in halls, be friendly and be nice. Remember, every fresher is in the same boat and wants to make friends just as much as you do, so be willing to try new things.

Mastering social media
University social life is governed by Facebook, so be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming events and what others are interested in. Sometimes a simple friend request can break the ice, and you may find that networking is something you’re keen to do to have a broad social life. Ask to meet up with people, and you’ll find that socialising becomes more comfortable as well.