Making new friends can be daunting and a challenge in the first few weeks. Make sure you look after yourself and ensure you take things at your own pace. Here are a few suggestions on how to start engaging with other students:
· If you attend an on-campus lecture and sit down near someone in a lecture hall, or meet a fellow student through an online platform, why not introduce yourself and talk about how excited (or perhaps nervous) you are about beginning the course. You both have a common interest in this subject, so it is a great place to start.
· Leave your door open whilst you are occupying your room – this gives others the opportunity to have a socially distant chat with you at your door, to get to know you better.
· You could get involved in both in-person and online activities or events that interest you, such as joining a society – this is a great first way to meet people with similar interests.
· Ask your new flatmates if they’d like to go on a socially distanced walk to explore the town centre or the campus with you.
· Remember that you will be exposed to new values, beliefs and cultures than perhaps you are not used to in your home environment. Try to be open-minded and listen to others’ ideas if they differ from your own and take a genuine interest in other people’s lives.
· There can be a pressure to do well academically as well as the pressure to be sociable. Make sure that you find coping mechanisms to reduce stress levels and try not to overload yourself with social commitments near deadlines and exams.
