Bachelors in friend-making: How to make friends as a university student
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No, reading this won’t add to your HECs.
Everyone knows that university is better when you have people to share the struggle with. The assignments feel lighter, the bad tutorials become funny stories, and suddenly, Canberra on a Saturday night doesn’t feel so quiet.
I’ve lived in Canberra for almost six years and only recently found a solid group of friends, the kind who actually keep in touch, plan trips, and agree that Braddon bars are best enjoyed together.
If you’re new to Canberra, university (uni), or just adulthood, this article is for you – because at some point, we all realise that the friends we made in high school don’t always fit the people we’re becoming. And that’s okay. What isn’t easy is figuring out how to make new friends who energise you rather than drain your already fragile social battery.
Why making friends at uni feels so weird (and why that’s normal)
Unlike school, uni doesn’t force connection. You can sit next to someone for a full semester, know their coffee order, and still never speak to them again after that final assignment is handed in. Add part-time jobs, long commutes, and social exhaustion, and suddenly friendship feels like another thing on the to-do list.
But uni is one of the few places where you’re surrounded by people at the same stage of life as you, people chasing similar goals, stressing over similar deadlines, and quietly hoping someone else makes the first move.
Choose friends who help you grow (not just pass the time)
As you get older, friendships stop being about convenience and start being about alignment. The best uni friendships are the ones that support your personal and professional goals, friends who hype you up, keep you accountable, and remind you why you started your degree in the first place.
Making friends within your degree can feel like the obvious answer, but turning a ‘tutorial friend’ into a real-world friend is harder than it looks. The trick? Taking the relationship off campus.
Turning classmates into actual friends
If you’re sitting next to the same person every week, take that as your sign.
Try this:
- Suggest a study session before or after class
- Bond over your confusing tutor or the assignment that’s about to ruin your weekend
- Keep it casual, coffee, a library room, or a quick recap session
Everyone wants someone to talk to about uni. You’re not being annoying, you’re being brave.
For me, it took being stuck overseas on a study tour to finally get close to people I’d been in classes with for over a year. Proximity helps, but intention matters more.
Group assignments: the friendship opportunity nobody asked for
As painful as group assignments are, they do one very useful thing: eliminate the first awkward interaction.
You’re already paired together, so use it.
- Suggest working in person instead of online
- Choose a café or neutral space off campus
- Spend extra time together beyond what’s strictly required
Getting out of the ‘uni bubble’ removes those invisible social barriers that hover around campus like bad vibes.
Say yes to societies (even when it’s awkward at first)
University societies are friendship shortcuts. You already have something in common, which makes conversation easier and connections faster.
Whether it’s academic, creative, cultural, or sport based, there’s something for everyone:
- ANU students: ANUSA Clubs List
- UC students: UCX Clubs and Societies
- ACU students: ACU student groups and associations
Yes, the first few events might feel awkward. Push through it. The weird part comes before the good part. Go to multiple events, not just one; familiarity is what turns strangers into friends.
Bonus: eventually, conversations stop being about parking and start being about real life.
Let Instagram do some of the work
If you don’t already, follow:
- Your university’s main Instagram account
- Your faculty or society’s Instagram pages
They constantly post events, workshops, and socials, many of which are designed for people coming alone. Pick one that actually interests you, and go. I promise you won’t be the only one flying solo.
The part people don’t talk about: maintaining friendships
Making friends is one thing. Keeping them is where the effort counts.
Be the person who follows up, plans the next catch-up, and sends the message first. It won’t always be reciprocated, but when it is, it’s worth it.
Making friends as an adult is harder than we were led to believe. But harder doesn’t mean impossible.
Be yourself. Be open. Be willing to feel a little uncomfortable.
The right people will be attracted to you, but only if you let them find you.
