Dear Fanny,
Any advice on making friends in second year? I am worried about joining new societies as i didn’t in first year. I love my flat but would love to branch out!
Dear Worried Wallflower ,
First off: respect for admitting you want to make new friends. Loads of people feel the same in second year but never say it, because everyone assumes you magically emerge from first year with a ready-made squad. Spoiler: you don’t.
The good news? Second year is prime time for widening your circle. Here’s how:
Societies aren’t “too late.” Honestly, nobody cares that you didn’t join in first year. Every society is full of people drifting in and out, so you won’t be the only newbie. Pick one you’re genuinely interested in — that way even if you don’t make a new best mate, you’ve at least had fun.
Use your flat as a launch pad. Your housemates will have their own course mates, society pals, and randoms they’ve collected. Tag along, even just once in a while. Friend-of-a-friend is the classic uni pipeline.
Course mates matter more in second year. You’ll see the same people in seminars, so a simple “fancy grabbing a coffee in the SU after class?” can actually go somewhere.
Be brave socially. Go to the events you’re nervous about — sports socials, SU nights, even random film screenings. Most people are just relieved when someone else starts the conversation.
Quality > quantity. Don’t stress about building a massive new circle. Even one or two new solid mates can change your whole uni vibe.
So no, you’re not behind, and yes, second year is a brilliant time to branch out. Worst case? You try a new society and only get free pizza from the welcome meeting. That’s still a win.
Yours in forced mingling,
Fanny x
