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Now we’re well into the first semester, you may be reflecting on your first few weeks, which might have been a bit of a whirlwind. So much is new to you; navigating new campuses, meeting new tutors and classmates, getting your head around timetables…Bournemouth itself may be a completely new area to you.

And whilst it’s an exciting time, we understand it can also be overwhelming. One thing that can help is the support of friends – but even the prospect of making new ones can be daunting! There are so many opportunities to meet like-minded people at BU – here’s a few things you can try:

SportBU

Sport is a great way to bring people together – and you don’t even need to be the ‘sporty type’ to join in the fun! The Campus Sport programme in SportBU gives you the opportunity to enjoy sport in a social, beginner environment, and with over 50 hours a week across 19 different activities, you’re bound to find something you enjoy.

The whole idea of Campus Sports is to help you create new friendships in a social, fun setting, boost mental and physical health while balancing studies and enjoy a welcoming, inclusive space to try new sports at any skill level. Our social clubs are led by students, and meeting people to have fun is at the core of each session. No commitment is needed, leaving you flexible to play sport around your schedule.

Find out more about Campus Sports at BU.

SUBU Clubs and Societies

SUBU Clubs and Societies are student-led groups that bring people together based on a shared common interest. Covering a wide variety of activities from social sport to academic groups and everything in between, there’s something for everyone. Joining a Society is a great way to make new friends and explore new interests.

Take a look at to see if there’s something you might like to try out. And if you can’t find one that interests you, !

Volunteering

Donating your time is a great way to meet people with a similar mindset and we have a whole host of ways you can volunteer – both here and abroad.

Our from working in local charity shops and schools in your spare time to volunteering at well known festivals around the country.

At BU, we want you to explore all of your options, which is why we encourage you to look beyond the UK when it comes to volunteering. There are a number of exciting opportunities available overseas and you might benefit from funding to contribute towards some of the costs of your activity.  

Every single student across the country has been where you are in terms of starting afresh and making friends. Find out what some of our own students have to say about putting yourself out there and meeting new people:

And key to making new friends is to be yourself – and don’t forget that everyone is in the same boat!