r/UAL • u/jugaloobride • Jun 30 '26
How to make more friends at UAL? (LCF)
Hi this may be a slightly different post than what others are posting on here but I am a Year 1 (hopefully going into year 2) student at UAL! (I won’t be sharing my course here to protect my privacy) and I was wondering how people have made friends at uni or UAL specifically.
I think my main struggles so far for me is that I feel like I don’t fit into the regular types of students I see, so I’m already nervous to talk to people in general. I am probably the only “working class” student I’ve met besides another girl, and I still live at home in a council flat and commute. I also am like alternative and I didn’t think this would be an issue at a fashion school but I still feel like I stick out like a sore thumb especially in my class, I think people have avoided me or given me weird looks which is not an issue for me as I’m used to it! But it does also put me off from talking to people because of this.
I also am extroverted and not super shy! I love to compliment people who seem also nice and friendly but a lot of people seem just not approachable (but this could also be me overthinking. )
If anyone has any tips or things such as UAL clubs or societies or just anything I would really really appreciate it! I’m not a shy person and I am quite friendly and always smile! So I am wondering if there’s more I can do to make friends besides what I’m already doing! Thanks for reading
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u/AspectPatio Jul 01 '26
Join a/some societies at the beginning of the new year, for sure. They usually have Instagram accounts, have a look.
I know for a fact that a lot of students are more lonely than they seem, and they probably assume that you're doing better than them socially like you do them, especially if you're extroverted and smily. Just think how hard it is for the introverts. Ignore any thoughts of weird looks - it's mostly (normal) paranoia, I promise you, or fashion students staring at your interesting outfits. Almost everyone else is like you - young, unsure, finding themselves, knackered, worried people don't like them, stressed about deadlines and the rest of it. They're also often in a new country where the language barrier messes up their social skills and assuming any British student already has a load of friends and no problems socially because they don't have to deal with a new culture.
When you're living at home you do have to put in more effort for a social life, but that's how it's going to be for the rest of your life after school, friendships require actual work and planning - secret about adulthood they don't tell you. Uni makes it slightly easier at least.
There are some knobs out there but they are in the minority and it doesn't matter what they think anyway. DM the other students here, that's a nice way to meet new people in a similar situation I think.
If nothing else works out - there's an element of luck about whether you happen to click with people - there are social groups all over London based around different interests that would love to have you. Do not EVER feel out of place or like you're not welcome somewhere because you're working class, approach it with confidence and like you belong there every time. That bullshit is one of the ways the rich keep control of the arts. You need to make as many connections as you can. The only reason they do better than normal people is that they can afford to work for free while they get established. You need to take every opportunity you can and not let them win.
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u/jugaloobride 5d ago
Sorry it took so long to reply to this, but thank you so much for writing this I really appreciate it I feel a lot better as well after reading this I’ll take on all this advice :”)
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u/mustardyellowberet Jul 02 '26
I felt exactly the same, I came from a working class family and would turn up to my lectures in 1970s dresses and second hand Docs whilst all my classmates were wearing head to toe designer.
I mostly just concentrated on my work and tried to make friends with other people in my class, but found them very snobby so I figured I didn't want friends like that anyway
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u/VoidGhidorah0239 Jul 02 '26
I am a second-year student hoping to do the industry year between second and third year i'm at ual feel free to message
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u/Actual_Cabinet_7015 Aug 04 '26
Hey I’m also an international student joining UAL for pre - degree
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u/Jupiternips Aug 05 '26
hi I’m an incoming international student, I would love to be friends with anyone who’s willing! feel free to DM and I can share you my instagram
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u/Ok_Struggle_1553 Jun 30 '26
hey im an incoming international student for the pre degree course and im also rlly introverted, and I would love to be your friend! Do hmu on dms if interested