Settling in and making friends

Settling in and making friends

There's no right way to get settled in at first.

You could find that you slip straight into university life and love living away from home. Or you could find that you struggle with the change and miss home more than you thought you would. Whatever happens, we're here to help make sure you have the best experience you can, so make sure you use all of the resources available to you.

Making friends and connections

Students posing for phot with Kent Bunny

Go along to Welcome Week events

What's on
Student playing instrument at welcome fair

Join a society

250+ student groups
Student hugging in game of women's lacrosse

Try a new sport

Get involved

Join a Student Network

Find out more

Get involved with the Arts

Arts and culture

Volunteer at Kent Community Oasis Garden

Volunteer at KentCOG

Speak to your coursemates

What to do if...

You've been here a few weeks. You’re feeling tired and could really do with a night in, but you’re feeling lots of pressure to be ‘making the most of it’, especially after not being able to do anything fun for such a long time. 

If you’re looking for a quieter night, the chances are that others will feel the same. Suggest a film night, play a board game or all cook dinner together. Things will settle down as the term goes on and you’ll find a routine.

If you’re living in uni accommodation, you may also be missing home. Getting used to living with other people can take a while, and it’s absolutely OK to feel that way. Our Student Support and Wellbeing team and the Kent Students' Union Advice Service is there to support you and help you adjust to living independently, so don't be afraid to get in touch with them if you're struggling.

Keep in touch with your family and friends at home to reassure yourself they are OK - maybe FaceTime or call once a week. It may be tempting to go home every weekend, but you should give yourself time to get to know your house/flatmates and the campus as this will help you feel more settled. 

Settling in

Boost your mental health

It's ok to feel out of place, especially in a different environment with people you’ve never met before, in very unusual circumstances. You might feel homesick or lonely at first, but these feelings are likely to pass as you adjust to university life and start establishing a routine. 

At Kent there are lots of opportunities to enhance your wellbeing throughout the year. If you are finding things tough, you might find it helpful to talk things through with someone from our mental health team, which includes counsellors, advisers and mentors. Seeking help will never be viewed as a weakness, and we have experienced and specially trained advisers who understand the pressures of student life and have helped many people to thrive at university.

Student Advice Service

Kent Students' Union and The Hub run independent Advice Services for students, offering free, confidential advice on a range of issues, finance, housing, visas as well as academic advice. Drop-in sessions and appointments are available every day with highly qualified and experienced advisors.


Not happy with your room?

There can be a number of reasons why you may want to change rooms after settling in, from financial to personal reasons. 

We want our students living on campus to enjoy their experience as much as possible, and while many of you will be happy with the room you’re living in there will be some of you who are not. This is why we facilitate a room move or room swap programme from November onwards.

All room moves or swaps must be authorised through the Accommodation Office, and if you're thinking of applying, make sure you've read our guidance first.  

  • Reasons for moving that involve disputes or complaints with neighbours  should first of all be directed to the Student Welfare Officers.
  • Reasons for changing that involve housekeeping or maintenance problems must be directed to the Housekeeping department in the first instance.

Room move requests - what you need to know

Make connections