Four tried and tested tips for finding your tribe at King’s

Whether you’re coming to King’s from nearby or from across an ocean, feeling anxious about joining university life is a universal experience. There’s no perfect formula for fitting in and making friends at university, but there are lots of ways to ease the discomfort that comes with putting yourself out there.

My name is Neha and I’m an international student about to begin my third year studying Philosophy & Modern Languages at King’s. More importantly, though, I’m a major introvert.

I’ll be sharing my tips on how you can overcome the hurdles of socialising in a new environment to find the right people for you, right here at King’s.

King’s has something for everyone. Welcome to King’s, for example, is ripe with opportunities to meet new people in a number of different settings. Whether you're interested in the thrill of late-night clubbing or the relaxation of afternoon brunches, I’m certain that Welcome to King's will have something enjoyable in store for you.

For example, if you're into fashion then you may enjoy hitting up the vintage clothing fair held on Strand Campus. Or, if you’re keen to explore the city while meeting new people, the London riverboat cruise could be the perfect event for you. Try to figure out which environments you thrive in so you can connect with like-minded people while avoiding feelings of discomfort or boredom. 

It’s important to remember that making friends and connecting with people isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. Take time to explore a diverse range of social activities that appeal to you, so you don’t end up doing things you don’t really enjoy while trying to make friends.

Another great way to meet like-minded people is to join student societies centred on your passions, hobbies or interests. During my first year, I unexpectedly met one of my closest friends through a student society focused on highlighting underrepresented perspectives in philosophy (feel free to check it out at @kcl_map!). This also allowed me to meet more people from my degree programme who I shared many interests with, but not necessarily classes. You can check out the 250+ student groups KCLSU has to offer.

I know, it’s scary—but as they say, you’ll never know if you never try! Whether it be striking up a conversation with someone at a society event or asking a coursemate if they’d like to study together, there are lots of simple and effective ways to make the first move in making friends.

This doesn't just apply to in-person interactions. In my opinion, reaching out to other students online is an underrated way of getting round some of the scariest parts of socialising, while still connecting with and learning more about others you have a lot in common with. Another one of my closest friends is someone I randomly decided to reach out to on Instagram after discovering her profile on a page for prospective King’s students. 

Remember that making friends is a trial-and-error process. You’re likely to meet tons of new people during your first few months at King’s, but friendships are all about quality, not quantity. So don’t feel bad if it seems hard at the beginning to maintain strong friendships. Chances are, your tribe is just around the corner.