Published: 24 August 2020
It doesn’t matter if you’re coming straight from school or starting at the University of Sunderland in London as a mature student, one thing people always worry about is if they’re going to get to know people.
In a recent study, 95% of people said that not making friends was their biggest fear when planning on starting their course.
University can create a lot of change. You’ll be around a new group of people, most of who will be just as excited, nervous and passionate as you.
One thing to remember is you will make friends. There are so many different people at the University, from all kinds of backgrounds. You will find the place you fit in. But to help you on your way, try out a few of these tips.
Join a club or society
University life is not just about lectures and time spent in the Library. We have loads of student societies for you to join, from the IT Society to the Swimming Club. All of them are welcoming, friendly and don’t need experience to join. If you can’t see the society you’re looking for, you could always start your own! Just get in touch with the Student Engagement team to find out more.
See the full list of societies on our Student Life pages
Become a Student Ambassador
Our Student Ambassadors are the link between your fellow students and our staff. You’ll get paid work experience helping to promote the University through events and Open Days. But most importantly, you’ll meet a group of dedicated, hard-working students who are just like you.
Find out more about becoming a Student Ambassador
Volunteer
A great way to make friends and give back to your local society is to volunteer. You’ll also get experience that looks great on your CV. Our Careers and Employability team can help find places to volunteer near you. Send them an email at careers-london@sunderland.ac.uk to book a one-to-one appointment.
See what volunteering you can do right now on the Careers and Employability website
Make the most of your network
Networks are not just for business success. You might find that you have friends from outside the University who know people studying with you. Ask to be put in touch with them, have lunch together or spend time exploring London.
There are hundreds of tips for making friends out there. But the most important thing to remember is to relax. As we said before, you will get to know people. Just enjoy the experience and you could finish university with friendships that last your whole life.
Find out more by following #WeAreSunLon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.