Starting university is exciting, but it can also feel a little overwhelming. New place, new people, new routine... and suddenly you're expected to know what you're doing!
If you're worried about making friends, you're definitely not alone. Loads of students arrive at Queen Mary without knowing anyone, and everyone settles in at their own pace.
There's no magic formula for finding your people, but here are a few easy ways to get started.
Find your people through societies
With 300+ societies and sports clubs, there's a good chance you'll find something that sparks your interest. From sports and performing arts to cultural groups, hobbies, student media and the wonderfully niche, there's plenty to explore.
You don't have to commit straight away either. Head along to a taster session, social or Welcome Fair to see what feels right for you.
Top tip: Try something you already love and something completely new. You might be surprised where you find your people. Pick up a Try Something New Guide from the SU Hub for loads of activity listings to try.
Get involved in Welcome
Welcome is packed with opportunities to meet people, explore campus and try things out.
Head to our Welcome Fairs to discover societies, sports clubs and other ways to get involved, then check out the events programme for socials, activities and one-off events.
You don't need to arrive with a friendship group. Turn up to something and start with one conversation. Chances are, the person next to you is hoping someone will talk to them too.
Try something and get active
You don't need to be a fitness fanatic to get involved in sport.
From Sports Clubs and Social Leagues to casual Get Active sessions, there are plenty of ways to get moving and meet people without making a huge commitment.
Or head to Qmotion, our on-campus gym, for workouts and group exercise classes and don't miss out on the Freshers discount too.
Talk to your course mates
It sounds obvious, but your course is one of the easiest places to start building connections.
Say hi to the person sitting next to you. Ask someone how they found the first lecture. Suggest grabbing a coffee between classes. Join your course group chat.
Try questions like:
"Are you commuting or living nearby?"
"What made you choose this course?"
"Have you been to any Welcome events yet?"
You don't need an amazing opening line. A compliment is a good start or a "Hi, I'm..." works perfectly well.
Don't rush off after class
If you have somewhere to be, that's fine. But if you have time, stick around.
Grab food, hang out in a campus space, Ground and Drapers are the places to be. Those little moments between classes are often where friendships start.
This can be especially useful if you're a commuter student. You don't have to leave campus as soon as your timetable says you can. Make the most of the time you're here and find reasons to stick around.
Say yes to the group chat
Course chats, society chats, flat chats, event chats... there will probably be a lot of them.
Join them. Say hello. Ask questions. Reply when someone suggests doing something.
You don't have to become the most active person in the chat. Sometimes simply being there means you'll hear about a coffee meet-up, society social or spontaneous plan that you can join.
A few friendship hacks
Here's the bit nobody tells you: you probably won't meet your best friends on day one.
Some people click immediately. Others take weeks or months to find their people. Some friendships will last your whole degree and others will come and go. Don't panic if your first week doesn't look like a university movie. Keep showing up. Keep saying hello. Keep trying things. Eventually, familiar faces become people you know, and people you know can become friends.
Start small: You don't need to make ten friends at once. Start with one conversation.
Be a regular: Going to the same class, club or event regularly makes it much easier to recognise people and build connections.
Make the first move: Ask someone if they fancy grabbing food or a coffee after class. They might be relieved you asked.
Be open to different people: Your first friends might not be the people you expected to connect with. That's part of the fun.
Leave your door open: If you're living on campus, say hello to your flatmates. Kitchen chats can turn into plans, and plans can turn into friendships.
Try something new: You don't have to find your lifelong hobby. Just give something a go.
Your people are out there. You just haven't met them yet.
👉 Check out our events programme and find your next opportunity to meet someone new.