"Join societies, attend SU events, and strike up a chat with your fellow students"

"My advice would be to make the most of your first few weeks here and get involved as much as you can. I was a bit worried about Belfast before I came, wondering if it’d be quiet or hard to settle in. But guess what? It turned out to be the exact opposite! Belfast is buzzing with life, super welcoming, and full of amazing opportunities. Freshers’ Week is a fantastic starting point. Not only will you learn about all the societies here, but you’ll also get to explore the city through organisations like Translink and other local groups.

Don’t be shy to join societies, attend SU events, and strike up a chat with your fellow students. Everyone’s feeling the same way, nervous and excited to meet new people. So, open up early and make some amazing friends. Trust me, your time at Queen’s is going to be unforgettable!"

Abdul Wahab Butt, MSc Marketing, Pakistan

"Let yourself be new"

"One piece of advice I would offer to new students starting at Queen's this year is to let yourself be new. Don't hold yourself back, and remember that everything worthwhile is on the opposite side of fear. If there is a club or society you're curious about, join it. Try surfing, or horseback riding, or karate. University is a place, if not the place, to do all the crazy things you've been dreaming of. It is a place where you can reinvigorate an old self or wipe the slate clean and invent a new self. Be bold, be brave, be new, and find you."

Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera, MA Creative Writing, USA

"Attend some of the events that the university and Students' Union offers"

"I always advise new students to attend some of the events that the university and Students' Union offers. I would advise new students to regularly check the websites and follow Queen's official profiles on social media to hear about events. Attending these events are really good for your wellbeing and they also allow you to connect more with the university. There’s a lot more to experience at Queen’s as well as your lectures."

Charlene Spence, Midwifery, NI

"Never be afraid to ask for help"

"I had a few worries in mind, but they all waned with time. Most of my worries were whether I could adjust to a new country with unfamiliar backgrounds alone. These were quickly proved wrong as my first interaction with airport staff upon landing was unconditional care and love. I still find myself looking back on those memories fondly with gratitude.

A piece of advice I can give you, in addition to being open-minded to the experiences this country will bring you, would be to never be afraid to ask for help. As someone who sometimes finds approaching people for advice slightly uncomfortable, I pushed out the misconception that asking for help equals weakness. If you find yourself in a position where you don't know what to do, just ask! Many support systems are available to you within the SU; never hesitate to follow up! This was another lesson for me as I learned it's okay to reach out to people repeatedly if you couldn't get your questions answered the first time.

Talk to your professors and ask them those little doubts in your mind; no matter how small they are, they matter, and the professors will always be glad to help you clear them out. Ultimately, it's all about taking that extra step out of your comfort zone and interacting openly and respectfully with people."

Megha Elsa Thomas, MSc Clinical Health Psychology, India

"Focus on just talking to the person next to you"

"I would advise incoming students to not worry about making friends with everyone. As soon as you arrive, you’ll feel pressured to smile at everyone, and get along with everyone, but that’s just not realistic! Not everyone in your lectures and tutorials can be your friend. Focus on just talking to the person next to you, and try and always have someone to sit with in class. As the months go by, these will be the people with whom you’ll revise, grab lunch, and have late nights in the library. It’s just one conversation at a time."

Anna Mohon, Politics, England

"Be kinder to yourself"

"Being honest, I was one of those extremely terrified first years who was feeling anxious about literally everything during the initial weeks. What I did not quite realise is that there were so many others in the same situation as me. It is okay to feel intimidated and nervous, not everyone is a pro at socialising. Sometimes, it might get lonely, sometimes you might need a pause, and all of that is valid. 

One specific thing to keep in mind is to not compare yourself to your peers. You might have had a very different past, background, and experience and constantly comparing your qualities with others’ might create a dent in your self-esteem. You are not falling behind. There is always space to improve, so please be kinder to yourself."

Magdalene Natasha Charles, Anthropology and English, India

"Don’t worry too much if you feel nervous at the beginning"

"My advice would be: don’t worry too much if you feel nervous at the beginning. I was also worried about adapting, things like language, culture, even the Belfast weather. But with time, you’ll find your rhythm. Queen’s has great support systems and plenty of opportunities to connect with others, so make the most of it. Come with an open mind, don’t be afraid to try new things, and enjoy the journey."

Muhammad Nawir, PhD Education, Indonesia

"Embrace new experiences, give yourself time and grace to adjust"

"I think the best advice I could give is to not be afraid to try new things and make the most of all the opportunities and facilities that Queen’s and university life have to offer. When I first arrived, I had a lot of worries about meeting new people and balancing my studies, but I quickly realised those fears faded once I started getting involved. Joining student clubs or societies, attending events, or even getting a part-time job on campus are great ways to meet people and feel connected.

Make use of spaces like the Students' Union - not only is it a great place to relax and socialise, but it also offers services that support your academic and personal well-being. Queen’s offers so many opportunities to try new things, and you’ll only regret not taking them. Embrace new experiences, give yourself time and grace to adjust, and you’ll be just fine!"

Christstela, MA Anthropology, Singapore

"Always reach out to people"

"I would like to tell the new students to always ask questions, it can be about anything and Queen’s has an amazing support team that will solve your query. When I first started, I didn’t really know about these services and ended up worrying and feeling anxious while trying to figure things out on my own. Looking back, I think it would have been so much easier if I had just reached out earlier. So, always reach out to people as people here are genuinely ready to help."

Sanjana Mahadev, Applied Developmental Psychology, India

"Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone"

"My biggest piece of advice is: don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. When I first started, I worried about whether I would fit in, but I quickly realised that Queen’s has so many opportunities to get involved, try new things, and meet new people. Whether it’s joining a club or society, volunteering, becoming a course representative, or taking part in international exchanges, there are endless ways to grow as a person and make the most of your time here.

The experiences you have outside the classroom are just as valuable as what you learn in lectures, so take every opportunity you can. You’ll be surprised at how much you grow in confidence and how many doors open for you."

Sejoud Barry, Chemical Engineering, NI/Sudan

"Building strong connections with others will really help you settle in"

"Make friends, don’t hesitate to ask for help, and take every opportunity to socialize by joining events. For students who are away from home, there’s all kinds of support available. Building strong connections with others will really help you settle in, and of course, the warm welcome and friendly nature of both Queen’s and Belfast will make you feel comfortable in no time. This is exactly what helped me to feel at home here."

Veena Goudar, MSc Electronics, India

Find out more

A Guide to Support Services at Queen’s

Three Weeks Behind, One Year Later: My First-Year Journey at Queen’s

Everything You Need to Know as a First-Year Queen’s University Student

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