Now freshers is over, are you looking for the best places to go to make real friends and settle into life at Queen’s? It’s easy to feel like everyone you meet has already made their best friends but that’s usually not the case! Don’t be afraid to involve yourself in conversations and invite people you’ve met to come along with you if you’re doing something after.  

Getting Involved - Making Friends and Having Fun at Queen’s: 

I know everyone tells you to join a club or society but that’s for a reason! It’s one of the easiest ways to find like-minded people – there’s lots of choice at Queen’s and there’s something for everyone. From sports, music, dance and academia, you’re sure to find one that suits your interests. At this point in the academic year, there will be people just as new to the club as you so don’t be afraid to try something new.  Check out all the Clubs and Societies you can join at Queen’s here.

If sports are your thing, there’s another advantage to joining a society – the new All Stars society night! It’s every Wednesday in the Botanic Inn and is exclusive to Queen’s. There are games, karaoke, prizes, live DJs and separate rooms with different themes, so it’s guaranteed to be a good night. There’s also discount codes for each club so make sure to use them when buying your tickets. If you’ve just joined, All Stars is the perfect place to socialise outside of the club and start to make friends – all while enjoying the fancy dress theme! 

If you’re in QUB accommodation, there are events every week which are the perfect environment to make friends and connect with the people around you. Check out their social media for what’s on, there’s usually a weekly timetable. This is an ideal place to meet people, not only are they living in the same place as you, but they’ll be also experiencing the same feelings and challenges.  

Connecting Through Your Course and Campus: 

If you want to become closer with people on your course, look into the events your school/programme may be offering. The details will usually be emailed to you – if not, check your Faculty and School social media pages or What’s On at Queen’s. It’s easy to miss the emails (I know how busy the inbox gets!) but try to go through every few days and see if anything interests you.  

If you’re looking for somewhere to study but also to strike up a conversation, the McClay Library might not be the place for you. If you’re in QUB accommodation, there are study spots which allow you to socialise while doing your work (like the Treehouse in Elms BT9). A café is always a great place to go to with a few friends to catch up and get some work done. There’s lots around Queen’s that you can avail of – some of my favourites are Sojourn and Terrace. The Students Union has a variety of spaces ranging from quiet to more collaborative work, explore One Elmwood to find what suits you best.  

If your course doesn’t run many or you’re just looking to expand your skills, consider going to some of the events run by the Student Skills Assistants. They focus on academic and digital skills, as well as employability. While designed for AHSS, students from other faculties can usually still attend – if in doubt, send them a message or an email to double check. They run social events as well as ones focused on specific skills which are the perfect place to meet people from all branches of Queen’s.  

Making the Most of Opportunities Beyond the Classroom: 

If you haven’t already, consider applying for a part-time job while at University. Not only does it help financially, but you can also make real friends at the same time. Even working a few hours a week in your local shop, café or restaurant opens doors and allows you to make connections. I met some of my best friends because we worked together so I couldn’t recommend it enough! 

If you don’t have enough time to commit to a job every week, look into QWork – it allows you to pick jobs which suit your timetable. There’s an abundance of contracts available which range from a one-off to annually and can suit a variety of skills and experience - there’s always something that may appeal to you.  

If you’re interested in expanding your knowledge while meeting people who have similar aspirations, explore the courses available on My Future. The events page is the best place to go to discover short-term courses and there’s something for everyone – just search for your speciality and apply. They range from a few hours to a week, just find one that fits in with your timetable.  

Having a friend to go with can make things easier – but it’s absolutely not a requirement! Going alone means you have the perfect opportunity to make connections and expand your network, although it can be daunting and it’s very easy to get in your own head about it. But the good news is, when you’ve done it once, you can make conversation and find people to go with next time! 

By Jamie Burley

BSc Business Management (Final Year)