Navigating University Social Life Together
Going to university often goes hand in hand with getting a whole new social life. It’s the kind of benefit that stands out on its own; freshers’ nights, new clubs, student parties, study groups, etc., are all pretty infamous for bringing even the shyest of students out of their shells.
However, this social benefit can be something to worry about too. It’s easy for new students to feel anxious about various aspects of life on campus, but the one thing they may be panicking about most is the idea they may end up alone. So what can you do, as their parent, to help them adjust to a new social setting?
Let Them Be Honest About Any Worries
When you’ve got a teen about to go off to uni, it’s best to let them lead the way with any anxiety they have over what university might have in store.
However, it’s important to let them know that it’s more than OK for them to both be anxious to begin with, and to be honest about what’s making them anxious. And even if they feel a bit childish about being worried they won’t make any friends, you need to let them know it’s OK to admit that.
Without being able to say it out loud, they won’t be able to tackle the fear head on. They won’t be able to hear any advice you might have over forming connections with new people. And most of all, sometimes they just need to let it all out!
Walk Through a ‘Going Out’ Budget
Your teen will want to go out with their friends, attend student nights and other activities, and go along to parties and/or host their own. That’s simply a fact of student life; you want to have fun!
Plus, if you’re worried about not making friends, it’s easiest to meet new people when you put yourself in these big social situations.
As such, make sure you talk to them about putting together a ‘going out’ budget. This is simply for tracking any and all expenses related to eating out, drinking, buying event tickets, etc., and is essential for making sure they don’t overspend without realising it.
Consider Accommodation That Has More Social Aspects
If your teen is worried about not having the time or energy to go out and make friends, there’s one simple fix for you to look into: finding suitable student homes that have on-site facilities for socialising, hosting, and entertainment.
And yes, they do exist! And it’s not just a matter of having a communal living room either.
Student accommodation often has specific spaces for activities like gaming, studying together, and things like on-site gyms these days, meaning there will be so many more opportunities for your teen to start making connections. They won’t even need to leave the house to do so.
If your teen is worried about becoming isolated at uni, go through the steps above to help them face their fear.
