New City, New Friends: What Move-in Taught Me

My Move-in:

With my personal experience, it was my first time moving away from my parents and friends and living in a new city. I had THE earliest move-in appointment, Saturday 6th September at 8:00am. I had imagined that me and all my flatmates would be moving in on the same day spread out across different timeslots. However, by 6:00pm I was the only one to move in, there was nobody else. This left me feeling quite unsure and a bit defeated. I had gotten myself ready to meet and interact with the people I'd be living with, ready to check out the nightlife. But no, it was just me. I started to worry that everybody else had the experience I'd been expecting and that I was the only one currently sitting alone in my flat. I even managed to convince myself that no one else was even coming, there had been a mix-up, and it was now just going to be me alone for the rest of the year.

Thankfully, Res Life was running events from the 7th of September. I was so hesitant to head down and go as I assumed I was the only person currently alone in a flat, that everyone else had at least one flatmate with them or someone they knew in another flat. After going back and forth with myself I decided just to go, what was the worst that could happen? The event I chose to go to on Sunday night was 'Pizza and Pop'. I reasoned with myself that even if I was the only person alone, I could at least get some free pizza and head back to my room.

Once I entered the social space I could already see there were plenty of others there alone and quickly ended up connecting with someone that shared similar hobbies with me. It was super easy, and we ended up exchanging socials so we could make plans another time. By the time I came back from the event I found somebody else had moved into my flat! I was very surprised as I had convinced myself that it was just me and that there had been a mix up that had left me somehow alone. I connected with my flatmate straight away and we sat down talking about all the exciting things we were ready to get up to!

By Wednesday I was a lot happier and had got it out of my head that nobody was moving in. With the friend I made on 'Pizza and Pop' night we arranged to attend 'Journal Decorating' as we both enjoy crafty activities. By the end of that event, we had met two other friends and set up a little group chat. The journal decorating was fun and had everything provided - journals, stickers, ribbons, prints and pens, you name it, it was there. I also attended the 'Pop a Prize' activity where you got to pop a balloon to win prizes. Anything from a sponge to Primark gift cards were up for grabs.

By Sunday my two other flatmates had arrived, and we were all attending the welcome party. The welcome party was busy offering food and vodka slushes! We enjoyed the slushes and headed out for our first night out! My move-in experience wasn't what I expected, but because it was different I had to venture outside the circle of my flatmates which led me to meet some great people. I put myself in situations I was unsure about, like attending events by myself, so that I had the best chance of making friends. Heading into fresher's week I was able to enjoy plenty of nights with my flatmates and people I met from the events.

My Course:

I also found attending my introduction lectures important as the icebreaker activities helped me meet people on my course. On my course we were given a small task and found people around us to work with. We then headed out into the city centre to work in a coffee shop, meeting back as a full cohort later to present our ideas. This let us explore coffee shops and places for lunch whilst getting to know our group members. I really clicked with the girls I chose to work with and ended up going out that night with them!

This experience has already taught me so much about myself and that, even when faced with situations I am nervous or unsure about, it all works out!