Getting to know other people at the University of Nottingham

Starting university means a lot of changes for you: new life, new place, and maybe a new country. Don’t worry, as it will get a lot easier once you make new friends.   Then it happened. All of a sudden you are at univeristy, in a completely strange and wondrous place, far away from the life you once knew. S

It's quite simple to get to know other people and make new friends at the University of Nottingham. 

Although there is no guidebook for making new friends and connections, as life just happens, there are some tips and ideas you can put into practice to expand your social circles.

Let’s start making connections:

Join a society

There are over 200 of them, with activities varying from acapella - which is actually quite large - to public speaking, hiking, or economics, so plenty of opportunities to meet people with similar interests.  Besides making friends, the best part about UoN societies is that they’re a great way to improve your life skills and abilities, which could prove very handy in the future. 

How to join one? Find the ones you like and apply for a membership. That’s it!*

Join a sports club

If you’re the active type, then you’ll be pleased to know that there are over 70 sports clubs you can join. Again, the range varies from most popular sports to sports you might not have a clue they even exist - canoe polo, anyone?

Beyond that, there’s also a long list of sporting facilities you can use at the University of Nottingham to keep fit and interact with new people. Go there, do your thing, and say hi. 

Say yes more

Interesting things happen all the time at the University of Nottingham, and not all of them are organized under the uni framework. From exploring the city life, to weekend hiking trips, to random nights out, there’s bound to be an adhoc group that you’ll be welcome to join. This is your chance to be spontaneous and make connections on the go.  

To be in the loop on what’s where, make sure to join the social media and chat groups for activities you’re interested in, then put them on mute, as it can get quite bubbly at times - especially when you want to study.  

How to make friends in Nottingham

Although a special place on its own, Nottingham is no different than any other city in England when it comes to making friends here. Simply go out there and start interacting with people.  

If you’re not confident as a social butterfly to start the conversation, then join a group activity and you’ll be chattering about the lovely weather in no time at all. For instance, you can join one of the wildlife preservation groups; plant a tree, and make a friend in the process.  

So what’s the easiest way to make new connections?

Get involved. It’s that simple at university to make new friends. The university already provides the framework for social interactions, and all the activities, events and groups are ways to get to know each other.

We’re all part of a community here, and you’re more than welcome to join us.