How to make friends in halls

Living in halls is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For most people, it is their first taste of independence. Setting up your room, putting a routine in place, and getting ready for a new year at university is exciting but also daunting.

If you are an introvert like I am, the thought of socializing with a bunch of new people is far from ideal. I was very nervous when I moved into my accommodation as it was not exclusively for students from my university. There was a mix of undergrads, postgrads, and PhD students from universities all over London. Initially, I thought this would make me feel isolated, but it turned out to be the easiest way to break the ice. The first conversation I had with all my flat mates was about their courses, universities, level of study, etc. This also helped me expand my social circle beyond simply my course and university.

London is a big city, but it can feel fairly lonely if you do not have a support system in place. I was starting my masters and I knew I had a hectic year ahead of me. Since I spent most of my time at university, I was usually drained by the time I got back home. Hence, I was glad that everybody in our flat respected each other’s boundaries. However, since we had to share a kitchen, if any of us ever happened to be cooking at the same time as another person, it usually turned into a fun and chatty session. We would talk about our courses, internships, assignments, etc. It was very comforting to be surrounded by people who were facing the same pressures as I was.

When I moved into my accommodation, I knew it would be the last time I would be staying in student housing for a while. After completing my undergrad, I lived with my parents for a year, so it did take me some time to adjust to living in student accommodation.

I missed the comfort of my bed and not having to worry about the cost of groceries. However, once I settled into my place and made it my own, it became my little comfort space in grand London. I also made the most of the socials held by my accommodation because we would get free hot chocolate and pizza. It was also a great way to catch up with other people in the building.

By the time I had to move out, I did feel a pinch of sadness while packing up my room. While I was moving into a nicer flat, where my room, kitchen, and bathroom would be bigger, there was something about my student room that made me feel safe and protected. Being surrounded by other students is great, especially in London, because there are so many fun things to do. And you know there is no one with more free time than a student with a deadline.