How to Make Friends in University

One of the main things I was worried about when I started university was how I was going to make friends. I am originally from Ottawa, and knew no one from my hometown who was also going to Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), let alone the Creative Industries program. But, here I am four years later, with some of the greatest friends I could have ever asked for. Here are my tips for how to make friends in university!

One thing all university students have in common is that they have classes. Talking to the person who is sitting beside you in class is probably one of the easiest ways to start making friends. You’ll likely see this person at least once a week for the rest of the semester. If you have a lot of classes that are required for your program, chances are that you will start to see the same people regularly. Group projects are also a great way to get to know people and see if they are friendship material. If you find yourself with someone you want to be friends with, set up some study sessions with them, or grab some food before or after class together.

True story: I met one of my best friends during our program orientation for first-year students! We were both in the same group for a scavenger hunt, and found out that we had some similar interests and hung out together for the rest of orientation week. Since we were in the same program and had many of the same classes, we would attend lectures and work on group projects together. I’m so glad that we just happened to meet that one day! The moral of the story is: attend your program orientation and other orientation week events, because you never know who you are going to meet!

If you’re staying in residence, you’ll be living on the same floor as a number of other students. You might even have some roommates! This is a great opportunity to make some new friends as you’ll be in such close proximity to each other all of the time. It’s easy to go grab meals together in the dining halls, have a movie night in the common room on your floor or have an impromptu chat in either of your rooms. When I lived in residence, I had a few friends on my floor that I would study or knit with — it was nice to have some people nearby.

Student groups (external link, opens in new window)  are a great way to get to know people with similar interests or backgrounds as you. It’s an opportunity to work with them to plan and execute fun events for the TMU community. Course unions (external link, opens in new window)  are also great for getting to know other people in your program. I’m on the Creative Industries Course Union (external link, opens in new window)  (CICU) this year, and it’s been so fun getting to know other Creative Industries students and working with them on everything we do. We’re planning an upcoming team social so we can just hang out and get to know each other better!

If you’re looking to work during university, you might also be able to use this opportunity to make some friends! Career Boost is our on-campus work study program, and some positions will allow you to work with other students. I’ve loved working with my fellow student ambassadors throughout my four years as a Career Boost student. Trust me when I say there is nothing like a work bestie.

I have made most of my university friends through my existing social circles. I met some friends of friends casually, and then realized I clicked really well with them too — and now we’re friends! Sometimes it can be daunting to tag along with someone else’s friends or friend group, but you never know who you’re going to meet and if there’s a future bestie present.

Making friends can be difficult, especially if you’re in a new place and you don’t know many people. Just remember that there’s a decent chance that whoever you’re next to also wants to make friends, especially if you’re in your first year. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there a little bit, and have fun!

Until next time,

Jenna