going to uni

SusanMFindlay

There are piles of ways to make friends at university. Choose whatever appeals/works for you.
1. Live on campus. You'll meet your roommates, neighbours, etc.
2. Join a club. There are tons of them. Usually one for every major plus ones surrounding hobbies. Join the one for your major. They're not for studying; they're to socialize the people who'll be in your classes for the next four years.
3. Sign up for an intramural sport. You'll meet your teammates.
4. Join an athletic team (if you're good enough at a particular sport). In my experience (living next door to the swim team), many athletes drink and party more than most other students.
5. Take one or more courses with a lab or tutorial (or just a small enrollment). You'll meet your class mates, lab partner, etc.
6. Take part in organized social events. Some of these will involve alcohol. There's nothing wrong with the occasional night out. But most students go out 1-3 nights a week - not 7.
7. Go wherever interests you and meet random people (gym, library, bar, cafeteria, grocery store) or strike up a conversation with someone while waiting in line/hanging out between classes/waiting for class to start/etc.

callumwalker1995

I am going into my final year so i'm just worried that socialising would get in the way of my work that is essential for getting me that degree that I want.

dizzieblondeuk

callumwalker1995 wrote: »

I am going into my final year so i'm just worried that socialising would get in the way of my work that is essential for getting me that degree that I want.

This is such a sad statement! Will socialising get it the way of your work, when you GET a job? The idea that 'once I have a degree and job, I can socialise' is a pretty unhealthy way. This is your life, right now, it'll be your life in a year's time, when you've graduated. Don't make it into some brand new you that will magically exist once you have a degree certificate.

There will still be time within that for socialising within a heavy course load. One easy way to combine both is to join a uni sports team, or find one of the recreational clubs. As a fresher, you'll discover that these clubs cleverly combine a bit of sport with a whole lot of socialising and bonding! So, you'll get your exercise quota and a social life at the same time.

If you're still worried about fitting exercise in, consider walking to your classes. I lived 3 miles from my lecture halls in the first 2 years, and walked home around 3 days a week. There will also likely be gym classes for students at the on-campus gym, if that's something you want - also good places to make friends and socialise.

elphie754

callumwalker1995 wrote: »

I am going into my final year so i'm just worried that socialising would get in the way of my work that is essential for getting me that degree that I want.

Wait... At the beginning you said this was your freshman year and now it is you final year?!?

smotheredincheese

callumwalker1995 wrote: »

I am going into my final year so i'm just worried that socialising would get in the way of my work that is essential for getting me that degree that I want.

If it's your final year then tbh I don't think going out drinking every night of freshers week is the way to make friends. Most people tend to stick together with the people they share halls of residence with to begin with, and it may be harder for you as on older student to break the ice.
Why not join a few societies and meet people you can talk to, sober, who have similar interests?

claraoswold

I have a two hour break between classes most days when I go to the gym. On Thursdays I have a five hour break so I go at least three or four times a week. And I can still do things after class. Class usually ends around 3:20 so yeah, lots of time.

The biggest issue I've seen with universities is that the meal plans and options are not great. I bring my own stuff, so this isn't an issue most days.

As for drinking, don't be stupid. Do so occasionally if you want. I have a rule that I don't drink if I have to be in class the next day. It works for me.

callumwalker1995

I'm in my final year but I'm staying in halls of residence with other final year students and don't you think its a bit late to join a society? I also like going to the gym in the morning like 8 am which I obviously wouldn't be able to do if I went out the night bfore

emmadonaldson95

As someone in the middle of a 5/6 year degree I'd say be prepared to compromise. I've been back at uni 2 weeks and official freshers week is next week for us. I've been doing well so far getting to the gym 2-3 times per week which is my personal aim. I'm well aware that come freshers week it's best to just go with the flow and have fun. I'd say for you as a 1st year that's even more important as you need to make friends and not be that boring bloke who's too busy talking about protein synthesis to be fun
It's one week of hard party so just go with it and get back on the gym/healthy eating wagon once freshers is finished, classes kick in and you'll find everyone settles into a routine. Once freshers is finished you can easily go out once a week or once every couple weeks without attracting any attention as the dull one and without sacrificing the gym life.

emmadonaldson95

callumwalker1995 wrote: »

I'm going out sunday and then Wednesday, do you think this is ok? shall I track these days as normal and leave some cals for drinks (about 600?) or just eat normal and have drinks as extra and just enjoy them instead of tracking them

Personally i like to track mine. I also wear my fitbit equivilant because youll be shocked how much cardio you do and how many calories it burns dancing about, which helps offset the drink. I usually try to pick something for pre drinks like wine which for the alcohol content isnt too horrific or vodka or gin and only use diet mixers. If i drink in clubs which i try to avoid i always drink vodka and diet coke. I feel like i cheated the day if i dont track them but that might just be me

RachelElser

I did not drink a lot in college because 1- price! and 2- I didn't need booze to have a good time. Nothing against going to a party but if you get pass put drunk on a weekly basis you may not be invited back the next semester.
You can join clubs, study groups, gym groups (zumba, yoga for ex) to meet people.

callumwalker1995

emmadonaldson95 wrote: »

As someone in the middle of a 5/6 year degree I'd say be prepared to compromise. I've been back at uni 2 weeks and official freshers week is next week for us. I've been doing well so far getting to the gym 2-3 times per week which is my personal aim. I'm well aware that come freshers week it's best to just go with the flow and have fun. I'd say for you as a 1st year that's even more important as you need to make friends and not be that boring bloke who's too busy talking about protein synthesis to be fun
It's one week of hard party so just go with it and get back on the gym/healthy eating wagon once freshers is finished, classes kick in and you'll find everyone settles into a routine. Once freshers is finished you can easily go out once a week or once every couple weeks without attracting any attention as the dull one and without sacrificing the gym life.

I'm NOT A FIRST YEAR, I'm going into my final year but I'm staying in halls of residences with other second/third years.

I think i'll just go with the flow during freshers and try to get to the gym as much as possible but then adapt back to my routine after the week has done