So you’ve arrived at UEA, you’ve dragged all your luggage to your room, unpacked your things and made your room just right for the year. So, umm, now what do you do?

It may seem a little daunting for some people as to what to do next, but don’t worry, there are plenty of things to do at UEA, so you’re not going to be bored or alone during your time here.



Make sure you talk to your flatmates/housemates, they’re in the same boat as you. No matter how confident people may seem, pretty much everyone’s in the same situation, so get talking to them. If your flatmates aren’t there yet, or you don’t think you’re fitting in with your flat, go to other flats! Go next door, upstairs, downstairs, anywhere. Now is a great time to meet new people so get out there. If you are living off campus, don’t worry, we’re holding you a social to meet other people so check that out as well.

There’s also societies and sports clubs. Societies Fair, where you can talk to and meet all the different societies, is on in the LCR on Tuesday from 12-7pm. Come have a chat with people, find groups with similar interests to your own. Sports Fair is on Wednesday from 11am-4pm in the Sports Park. There are around 80 different clubs to join, and this is a great way of keeping healthy, getting involved, and having fun.

On top of this, there are Peer Support groups. These are groups run by and for students that deal with several issues students might have. There’s Pride, the LGBT+ group, SRSH (Student Run Self Help) for people who have struggled with eating disorders, Mental Wealth, Nightline and Local Students. Check them out.

If you miss either of these events, don’t worry. You ARE still able to join. Find the groups on Facebook and ask when their meeting times are. If you want to join a sports club you will still have to get Sports Association Membership, but you can come speak to our Sports Co-ordinator, Ian Welch, who is upstairs in the Hive, and he’ll be able to sort it out for you.

You can also join in on Union activities, come up to the Student Officer Centre (upstairs in The Hive, through the double doors at the top of the stairs) and we can tell you about volunteering and community opportunities. Or you can get involved in how the Union is run, we can tell you how to become a course representative, or getting onto Union council, which is also a great way of meeting people.

Try and get some tickets to some of the Welcome Week events, even if you don’t drink you can go along, dance, meet people. It’s a really great social atmosphere and thousands of students all together looking to meet people.

If you don’t have tickets, don’t worry, you can go to the events in the Blue Bar that are happening. Or the quiz on Sunday. If there isn’t an event on, it’s still quite likely that there’ll be a lot of people there who will be happy to talk to you if you put yourself out there.

If all this fails, which I’m sure it won’t, come see us in the Student Officer Centre and we’ll be happy to have a chat with you. We’re all really friendly and glad when students come talk to us.

So there are a few ideas, obviously there are loads of other ways of meeting people and making friends but I’m sure you’ll be able to find them. If you are struggling, feeling homesick, or just want a chat, try going to the Advice Centre in Union Hous, or, once again, come see us in the Student Officer Centre. I promise, I’ve said it three times now, we really do want you to.

Have a good Welcome Week and welcome to UEA everyone!

SC