Unexpected ways to make friends at university

I remember preparing to move to university — the nerves were high, especially with the thought of moving to a completely new city. There are plenty of resources out there on how to make friends at uni, but sometimes, the best friendships form in the most unexpected places!

Leeds Beckett accommodation portal

Leeds Beckett takes a unique approach to assigning flats in halls — you actually get a say in where you end up! Once you’ve chosen your preferred halls directly through the university, you’ll be given access to the accommodation portal.

Through the portal, you’ll answer a few questions about your lifestyle and habits — things like “Are you a night owl?” or “Do you prefer staying in or going out?”. Your responses are then used to match you with other students who have similar preferences. You can also create a short profile that includes your interests, what course you’re studying, and anything else you’d like others to know.

What helped me meet my current best friend was the fact that she included her Instagram handle in her profile. I noticed hardly anyone else had, so I reached out — and we instantly clicked! We ended up chatting more, bonding over shared interests, and by the time move-in day arrived, it felt like I’d known her for years.

Adding your social media info to your profile is a great way to connect before uni starts. And if you see someone in your flat who’s done the same, don’t be shy about messaging them — chances are, they’re just as nervous (and excited) as you are!

Offer holder community

Another great way to start making connections before you even arrive is through the Leeds Beckett Offer Holder Community group. Once you’ve received your offer, you’ll be invited to join this online space — and it’s honestly such a helpful resource. It’s a great place to ask questions, get an inside look into life at LBU, and most importantly, meet others who are starting their uni journey too.

Whether you're looking for potential flatmates, coursemates, or just people who have similar interests, the group is full of friendly faces all in the same boat. I found it really reassuring to see everyone sharing the same nerves and excitement. It definitely helped ease some of those pre-uni jitters!

Even if you’re not usually someone who posts, it’s still worth joining — you never know who you might connect with or what helpful info might pop up in your feed.

Group projects at uni

When you don’t really know anyone on your course, the idea of picking a group to complete a project can sometimes be a little intimidating. I remember sitting there, totally lost, when the girl in front of me (who was also sitting alone) turned around and started chatting. She introduced herself and asked if I wanted to team up for the project — and honestly, I was so relieved to know I wasn’t the only one feeling a bit out of place.

Together, we walked around the room and found a few more students who, just like us, didn’t have a group yet. It turns out, there were plenty of people in the same boat — they just hadn’t made the first move. That group project ended up being way more fun than I expected, and we actually became great friends.

Fast forward to now, and we’re still close! We meet up at coffee shops to study, share ideas, and help each other through the course. So, if you ever feel unsure during group work, especially in your first year — just remember, everyone’s figuring it out, and sometimes all it takes is a simple “Hey, do you want to work together?” to kick-start something great.

Becoming a student ambassador

I’m currently a Student Ambassador, and honestly, it’s been one of the best (and most unexpected) ways I’ve come out of my shell and made friends across different courses and year groups.

I still remember my first Open Day shift, I was super nervous but I ended up getting paired with a group of girls who were so lovely. We clicked straight away, and chatting between tasks, I learned so much about their courses — it was genuinely so interesting to hear about their experiences.

Now, we keep in touch on social media, check to see if we'll be working together when events come up and even hang out outside of our ambassador roles. It's a great reminder that putting yourself out there (even just a little!) can lead to some really great friendships and experiences.

Planning study sessions with people on your course

One of the best ways I’ve made friends, both on my course and beyond, has been through organising study sessions. It all started with chatting to the people on my table in seminars, which helped break the ice and made me feel more comfortable. From there, I began planning group study sessions, and that’s where things really took off.

What surprised me most was how study sessions became a way to connect with people outside of my classes too. Everyone’s working on different things, but coming together in places like The Hive or the library gave us a shared space to focus, swap ideas, and support each other. It not only helped me understand the course material better — since everyone has their own way of approaching topics — but also created space for genuine connection and conversation.

Even something as simple as grabbing lunch between seminars has led to unexpected friendships. Some of the people I studied with regularly ended up becoming my closest friends — and I even lived with a few of them in second year. To this day, we’re still incredibly close.

University can feel like a whole new world when you first arrive — and it’s totally normal to feel a bit nervous. But the amazing thing is, no matter where you turn, there are always people just like you, whether they’re feeling the same way or share similar interests.

Sometimes, all it takes is a simple “hi” to open the door to new friendships, fresh perspectives, and countless opportunities to connect, grow, and just have fun. You never know where one small conversation might lead!