Settling into uni

[Student standing outdoors, in front of a campus building]
STUDENT 1: There’s quite a few different ways of meeting people at Welcome Week. So obviously you’ve got your flat and stuff like that. You can go clubbing, whatever, but I think the best way personally is joining societies and getting really active in the student community.
[Student ambassadors standing outdoors on campus]
STUDENT 2: If you just want to meet friends that are just like you, like-minded, societies are your best option. Download the society app. Sign up and then just go to the meetings and I promise you you’ll be smooth sailing.
[Student standing outdoors, on a grassy campus area]
STUDENT 3: If there’s any sports you do, some of the more casual events are quite fun where things are a bit less competitive.
[Student standing outdoors, on a grassy campus area]
STUDENT 4: Sports and societies were the biggest thing where I made friends because I was able to find people who are link-minded and just vibe with them.

[Student standing outdoors, on a grassy area of a campus]

STUDENT 1: My advice to anybody moving into accommodation is right after you meet your flatmates, plan a trip to go groceries shopping in town. It’s a really great way to meet all of your flatmates and become friends, and also get your first week of groceries.

[Student seated outdoors, campus building and greenery in background]

STUDENT 2: I think try to get excited about how you want your room to look and what you want to have in your room. And, like, get an idea of what you want to pack. Because this is going to be your own space and maybe for the first time, your own space that you haven’t had before. So it would be really nice to make it your own, make it a safe place. And like, a home from home so you don’t feel really homesick or anything right at the beginning. It can be nice to settle in right away. I’d also try to go on Facebook or sometimes there are Instagram groups to try and find people who you’ll be living with next year and you can get chatting to them before. And get a sense of kind of meeting them online before meeting in person which might make you feel a bit more excited and less anxious about the prospect.

[Student standing outdoors, on a grassy area of a campus]
STUDENT 1: I lived in Northfield during my first year, and my favourite part of living in accommodation was first of all, how close you are to classes. You can basically roll out of bed in five minutes and get to class on time, which is great. And then also how easy it is to make friends. Everyone’s always hanging out, whether that’s in your accommodation or other accommodations nearby, and it’s really fun.

[Student standing outdoors, on a grassy area of a campus]
STUDENT 2: It was really good. So I lived with twelve other flatmates. So this gave me like a huge opportunity to make a lot of new friends just within where I lived with so that made me a lot more comfortable within the first couple of weeks when I hadn’t necessarily started talking to people in lectures and stuff, so it’s a great way to make friends.

[Student seated outdoors, campus building and greenery in background]
STUDENT 3: I really enjoyed living on campus in first year. I lived with 11 people, which sounds really intense, and it was at times. But I met two of my best friends now and some other great people that I’m still in touch with. Also, what’s great about living on campus is everyone is in one place and everything’s in one place, and there’s pubs and shops and study spaces and everything, and it’s really convenient. Yeah.

[Student standing in a coffee shop]
STUDENT 1: The best thing about Brighton for me is the spirit.

[Student standing outdoors, on a grassy campus area]
STUDENT 2: Love the beach.

[Student standing outdoors, in front of a campus building]
STUDENT 2: The acceptance I would say.

[Student standing outdoors, in front of a campus building]
STUDENT 3: The best thing about Brighton is it’s very energetic, very electric city, very vibrant. Everyone is so happy.

[Student standing outdoors, in front of an event booth]
STUDENT 4: Brighton is just so open minded in every sector, sexuality, race.

[Student standing outdoors, on a grassy area in front of a campus building]
STUDENT 5: There’s really sort of everything from the countryside, to the seaside, to the city, and it’s a really good range. I don’t think you get it in many other places in the UK.