Making friends

It’s important to make connections and friendships at uni, particularly from your course. Chances are you will come to university knowing only a few people or maybe no one. Whichever category you are in, you will need to meet new people and probably want to make new friends. Uni life is about much more than attending classes and sitting exams. Hopefully, you’ll make connections both inside and outside the classroom and develop close friendships during your time at uni that last a lifetime!

Below you'll find a video featuring some first year students from 2011 and what they had to say about making friends. You'll also find some helpful tips and advice on ways you can make friends - particularly by getting involved at uni! 

Tips for making friends and connections at uni

There's plenty of opportunities to socialise and meet new people at La Trobe, but don't forget, the easiest place to make connections is in the lecture theatre or the classroom with the person right next to you! Having someone to share your educational experience with is so valuable and it's also a great way to study - outside of attending class.

Check out the tips below on making friends and connections.

 

 

Be an active, involved and interested person

Take an interest in what's going on around you. Get involved by joining in on activities, clubs, groups and societies. If you have a special interest or would like to develop a skill, look for clubs, classes and events that allow you to meet with like-minded people. La Trobe has lots to offer, and you can find most of it online at our Get Involved website.

Make conversation with people in your classes

Most people find it easier to make conversation when there is a task or reason to be speaking. Say hello to the person next to you. Ask them what they thought of the lecture. Tell them a bit about you - "I missed the first part of the lecture, the bus was delayed, did the lecturer say anything important at the beginning?"

If you are new to Australia ask about our way of life and culture. "Do you follow a football team? Did they win the finals last year?"

Say "see you next week" or ask if they are coming to the lecture on Thursday. It can take a few weeks to build up a social acquaintance, so be patient. 

When group work tasks are set, try joining a group of people you haven't worked with before, or don't know well (yet). You could also form or join a study group.

If you are in a course that has lab, prac or tutorial, then the smaller group and regular meeting times makes it easier to speak to the same person week after week.

Getting a job helps

Getting a job helps with your finances and can introduce you to a new group of people. Check out the Career Development Centre for some handy advice on finding part time work.

Volunteer!

It can be rewarding to be a volunteer with community organisations, or environmental or social organisations. The uni offers opportunities to be mentors, hosts, guides, peer support leaders etc. Consider one of these options - ask at Student Enrichment or your Faculty. Look out for notices around campus, and check out the Get Involved website.

Consider living in a share house or in a College on campus

It can be hard at times to share with other people, but it may be fun too, to have contact with different people in a close living situation. You meet their friends, get to know them very well, maybe share the load of cooking, cleaning and bills. Check out our section on living out of home for more info.

Student Organisations

Student Union logoLa Trobe University campuses all have Student Associations which are great places to find out what's happening on campus, get involved, and meet new people.