While speaking to people in your university classes is an amazing way to make friends on your course there are other ways to meet people who share similar interests!
Olivia Davies
VP Wellbeing & Diversity
Coming to university can be such an exciting and scary time all rolled into one. Making friends can be a massive part of this. While speaking to people in your university classes is an amazing way to make friends on your course there are other ways to meet people who share similar interests! Some of these will be discussed throughout this blog.
Societies and Sports groups
A fantastic way to meet friends is to find your people! Joining a society and or sports group is a way to find people who share the same interests with you. There are currently over 140 societies and sport groups that you can be a part of. There is everything from Insanity Radio to Dance to Law to Cat Society. You can find the whole list of Societies and Sports groups on the SU website. You could also make your own!
If you are unsure of which group would suit you come down to the sports centre on Tuesday, the 24 of September for Freshers' Fair to meet and have a chat with all your Societies and Sports groups. There will also be taster sessions run to try out as many groups as you want. I would recommend taking advantage of this! I met my best friend when I joined Mentality and our paths would not have crossed if I did not join this society.
Give it a go
If you’re looking to develop a new skill, flex your creative muscles, or simply unwind after a day of lectures, you’ll find something in the calendar of Give It A Go events. These are smaller-scale events that are predominantly alcohol-free and focused on you meeting new people in a fun, relaxed and welcoming environment. This is also a way to try something new while meeting new people. Keep an eye out for all the amazing events that will be taking place over the next academic year!
Academic and Inclusion Student Communities
There are nine Inclusion Communities: Women, LGBT+, Disabled, Black & Global Majority, International, Students of Faith, Mature Students, Parent & Carer Students and Commuting students. There are also two Academic Communities: Postgraduate Research students and Postgraduate Taught students. Each community is led by a Community Officer, an elected student leader responsible for campaigning for the rights of students that are defined into the relevant group. They will coordinate activities and events for members of the community to meet one another.
Last year, I was the Women Students’ Community Officer and absolutely loved the community that we created. I was able to meet so many incredible people. It is such an amazing way to meet new people. Especially because there is normally a lot of collaboration with communities and relevant societies and sport groups so you get to meet so many different people.
Keep up to date with everything that they will be doing this year either on the student communities SU page or on their Instagrams!
Peer guide
The University also runs a Peer Guide scheme for undergraduate students which you are automatically enrolled in unless you decide to opt out. You’ll be paired up with a returning student who will reach out to arrange a catch-up where you can ask questions, find out more about Royal Holloway, and receive support in navigating your first four weeks of term. Before the start of term, you’ll be informed of who your peer guide is, but if you’re not sure head up to Founder's Square over move-in weekend to the Peer Guide stand and to find out who your peer guide is.
Volunteering
Volunteering is also a great way to meet like-minded people. Whether you want to help the local community or volunteer abroad, Royal Holloway Volunteering can assist with it all. If you would like to know more you can find Royal Holloway Volunteering at the side of the Davison Building (the library) next to the SU shop.
I was lucky enough to take part in a youth empowerment project in Fiji with ThinkPacific which I found out about in the volunteering fair that happens every year.
Hall life
Hall Life is a team of fellow students who have all lived in halls before to assist students with any questions or concerns they may have about living in halls. If you’re feeling nervous, need some help now you’re living independently, or looking for advice on homesickness or accessing specialist services, Hall Life team is on hand to help. I am sure you will come across them either in halls or at an event throughout welcome week.
Advice Centre
Based on the first floor of the Students’ Union, our team of advisors are on hand to support students with a range of issues, big and small, and free from judgement. They are independent from the University and specialise in academic and housing advice. However, they can also give advice on anything relating to your university journey and can help you in navigating University services. During Freshers’ Festival, they will be hosting daily drop-ins, so if you’re feeling unsure about anything and would like to get some advice then please come along.
As you can see there are many ways that you can interact with people outside of lectures. However, making friends can be a scary time especially when you are starting a new place. But you are not alone, everyone is in the same boat coming to university and your lifelong friendships can start with a simple hi. 😊