For those a long way from home, going to university is hard. It means leaving behind your friends, family and everything you know.
It is even more difficult for students living off-campus, as you’re not immersed in the on-campus residence community and network of others looking to make new friends too. It’s definitely possible for an off-campus student to make friends, but they’ll have to try a lot harder.
It has always been a priority of mine to make friends – many would describe me as a very outgoing person. When I moved to Ottawa all the way from Kuwait, it was a complete culture shock. I am in my second-year at Carleton now, and I can tell you that I am so happy with the friends I surround myself with. I can also confidently tell you that making friends while living off-campus is achievable.
So if you’re worried, don’t be. It’s definitely easier said than done, but to make it easier, here are six ways I made friends in university.
1. Classmates are a good start
If you’re in your first year, you’re probably going to have a large number of students in each class. Keep in mind that everyone else is probably as nervous as you are. Sit next to someone and introduce yourself. If you’re not the type to introduce yourself, then ask a question about the course. Let the conversation take over from there.
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2. Make friends with people living on-campus
People living on-campus undoubtedly have it easier when it comes to making friends. I was lucky enough to make a lot of friends that lived in residences through my classes. One friend could introduce you to so many others and so on.
3. Put effort into going out
It really does take time and patience to find the right group you will fit into. Don’t miss out on the opportunities when you’re invited to go out. Going out really lets you expand your options and that way you can get to know people outside of class.
4. Keep your circle small
After you’ve gotten comfortable with the friends you’ve made, be sure to know at least two or three people you can trust and count on. I like to keep my circle small because why have 20 friends, when you can have two or three best friends?
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5. Join a club
There are so many clubs at Carleton, if you’re into writing, fashion, sports, there is definitely at least one club that suits your interests. This will help you find a good core group of friends that share the same interests. If you don’t want to commit, many clubs at Carleton have events throughout the year that you can crash and see whether it is right for you.
6. Use social media to your advantage
We’re in the age of social media; use it to your advantage! Don’t be afraid to follow people on Instagram and Twitter or join groups on Facebook. This could lead to some amazing friendships you would never have expected with just a simple click of a button.
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Now that we’ve given you these tips, the first step is try them all out. Don’t be afraid if you don’t have any friends yet; eventually the right person will come along.