1. Everyone is looking to make friends.
Thousands of students are entering King’s for the first time alongside you. It is likely this is everybody’s first time being thrown into such a vast group of people. Whilst you put yourself out there, just remember that is completely normal not to have met your closest friends within the first week. You will continue to meet new people well into the year!
2. Get creative when meeting potential friends.
It can be easy to stay in places like course inductions and your flat when finding initial friendships. The first month is a wonderful window to get experimental with how you meet people. Whether it’s a society for a hobby you have barely dabbled in or a quiet evening activity hosted by your halls, there is no harm in trying it once. It is also completely acceptable to come to an event on your own!
If living in King’s accommodation, your halls will have a dedicated Instagram page with their event dates. Visit our events page too for a list of upcoming events hosted by student groups and KCLSU.
3. You don’t need to be a perfect, polished version of yourself
Being your genuine self is the best thing you can do at university. Show your unique quirks, share the things you’re passionate about and be genuine, even if you’re unsure of how you’ll be received. At the same time - keep an open mind! Don’t be too quick to write off someone simply based on your first impression of them.
4. Being part of a student group goes a long way
Joining a student group is an easy way to meet new people and bond over a common interest. Many student groups will be running fresher meet up events and sports clubs will be running taster sessions. You can find a full list of student groups here with links to their social media pages. Although it may not be your first priority, finding a student group you feel comfortable in can also be a way to naturally progress into a leadership role within the next few years.
5. Attend your course orientation events
During Welcome Week, your course will host events ranging from information sessions to outdoor evening socials. You will be able to find a schedule of your course events on the Welcome to King’s app. These events are the perfect opportunity to mingle with your course mates and informally meet your staff members before the semester starts to get more serious!
6. Get familiar with every campus!
One staple of induction is a campus tour tailored to your course. These are usually hosted by current students and are the perfect way to discover course-dedicated areas around campus. I would also highly recommend doing a multi-campus tour of your own. You’ll be spending lots of time in the library, so why not make an early decision on which library you’ll soon be claiming your second home.
7. Navigating the many events during Welcome Week
Multiple events happen every day throughout Welcome Week; it's easy to feel overwhelmed. It is completely fine to say no to things and take an evening for yourself. I would recommend creating a list of events from societies that have already caught your eye. But make sure to leave space for spontaneous plans that may come along (and the Welcome Fair!).
8. Be one step ahead of your health
Despite the excitement of Welcome Week it is important to take care of your health. Meeting lots of new people every day can be a shock to your immune system. Stock up on some medication in advance to save yourself from a dreadful walk to Tesco while already ill. King’s also has an in-house GP located at Bush House which you can register for here as soon as you get to university.
9. Start getting into the groove of being a student
One bittersweet thing about university is that it always seems to go by quicker than you anticipate. As the rush of Welcome Week settles, you will have a week of introductory classes then it is full speed from there. Make sure you’ve decided on a note-taking system and take some time to see what work will soon be expected of you.
10. Reach out if you need help
Being a student at King’s automatically makes you a member of KCLSU, which means that you have access to KCLSU’s Wellbeing and Advice services. We have multiple in-person wellbeing events running throughout the year. KCLSU Advice also offers one-to-one confidential advice both online and in-person that is open to you throughout the year.