Not everyone has 20 friends their first day of university – and that’s okay! Many students have this worry before they start that they aren’t going to know anyone, it is out of their comfort zone and that they’re going to be lonely.
There is a chance during your first few weeks that you might feel lonely – but you’re not alone in it! It’s super common for it to take a bit of time to find you’re footing and one of the best parts of coming to university is that everyone is in the same boat with this. We have students not just coming from across the country, but all over the world. So, the likelihood is there are thousands of other students at Salford who are also the only one from their town who have found themselves here.
Lean into it:
It’s okay to begin with to just lean into the fact that you’re starting again. It can be exciting! It’s a chance to wipe the slate clean and really get to know yourself and what makes you, you. Is there a hobby (societies and clubs) that you’ve always been interested in but never had the chance to try? Is there a new style you want to try out? Did you want some quiet reflective time away from family obligations?
This is your chance to lean in to not knowing anyone around you and freeing yourself from inhibitions.
Building a new routine:
When you’ve had the same habits for a long time, it can feel a bit lonely and alien when you move to a new place. Interactions and seeing familiar faces through routines can really help ease some feelings with loneliness. You could do this by going to the gym or one of our free classes at a regular time each week. Planning when you cook dinner at a time when some of your other housemates might be in the kitchen. Heading to lectures a little earlier than the start time to say hello to your coursemates before the lecture starts.
Using the SU Connector Scheme:
Sometimes even joining something new can feel super daunting the first time away from home – so your SU is here to help give you that initial bolt of courage!
SU Connection Sessions are peer-facilitated conversations in small groups, designed for you to form genuine friendships and develop your confidence in sharing, caring, vulnerability, venting, validating, empathy, giving and receiving compliments; all of the ingredients to make strong connections with others.
You'll join a small group, led by our SU Connectors (who are students, just like you!) and attend an in-person session every week for 4 weeks. Each session will have a different focus from getting to know each other, to getting something off your chest, to sharing and receiving positive messages.
Whether you’re looking to make friends, improve your confidence in meeting new people, or simply try something different, SU Connection Sessions are a friendly place to start. SU Connection Sessions are advertised on our events page.
Also – we have our free social prescribing service that follows the model of social prescribing – you can find out more about this on our website.
Some things can take time, and with social media always being readily available, it might feel like everyone is moving at a faster pace – but the important thing to remember is there is no right timeline for making friends. Connections are made through numerous means and the SU is always here to help make a start with meeting new people.