Top 5 Ways to Meet New People
Whether you have just started uni or it's all old hat to you, everyone can have a hard time making new friends. With the following top five however, you are sure to make new friends, and perhaps even find that special someone.
5– Bump into someone, literally. It might not be the smoothest way to introduce yourself to people but if you are shy, clumsy or a combination of the above, this might work well for you. It also conveniently breaks the contact barrier, which is half the battle when you're trying to pick someone up. [Note: this is not recommended if you are a huge guy and the object of your affections is somewhat smaller, they will end up getting knocked down and that's not going to do you any favours.
4 – Classes. The advantages of befriending those in your class are many. From knowing you will be able to see them regularly to having someone to help you when you are stuck on a topic, friends who understand your course are a big advantage. Try to make friends with someone who is in the next year of the course to you, they will be invaluable in helping with questions you have since they went through it all last year.
3 – In the library. Students spend a lot of time in the library when not in a bar, so if you want a quieter place to talk to someone, the library is the place to do it. They are also more likely to be on their own here than at any other time so if you have ideas for a certain someone but don't want to talk to them in front of their friends, the library might be the place to get them on their own; just make sure you don't disturb someone who is studying hard, they might not be best pleased!
2 – Societies. Like classes but even better, these provide a relaxed environment in which to meet people who are in to the kind of things you like, which often increases the chances of becoming good friends. If your mate's a member of the Tartan Army and you are an avid Dungeons and Dragons enthusiast, you might have some issues. Then again, opposites can sometimes attract and the unlikeliest of people can become your best mates.
1 – Say hello. This one is universal and works in all situations. Followed by your name and the offer of a handshake, it makes for a killer combination that is very hard to refuse.
You may have noticed I have not included bars, pubs or the union in this list. While these are obvious places many of them have loud music, making it hard to communicate with your new mates. This is detrimental to the development of common knowledge, in-jokes and so forth, which are central to a good friendship. By all means, meet someone in a club, but meet up with them at other times of the day as well, or you may find they aren't the friends you thought they were.
by James Bastone
