Friends back home
A realistic Guide to life at UCLan - written by students!
by Kirsty Cottam, BA (Hons) Public Relations and Marketing, 3rd year, age 21
Everyone always worries about making new friends, but what about your old ones?
Arriving at university is always a big step no matter who you are. New city, new friends, new everything! When I first arrived at university I had to get to know the new city I was living in, make new friends, attend new classes, find a part-time job and so much more, which leaves little time to think of those you’ve left behind.
My best friend went to university at the same time as me, I came to Preston and she went to Newcastle, a fair distance to travel to visit each other. Those first few months of university can be daunting and exciting as your life is changing rapidly from the one you had in high school. Don’t panic if you don’t stay in touch with your friends from home during this time, they will understand, particularly if they are in the same position as you! I didn’t speak to my best friend for the full first semester and I started to panic that we’d lost touch. I couldn’t have been further from the truth. We were just so busy getting used to our new lives.
In order to keep these friendships you need to put the effort in, a phone call here, a Facebook message there and wherever possible a visit to each other to catch up and introduce them to all your new friends.
Although we only see each other a handful of times a year as I am now permanently based in Preston, me and my best friend are just as close as we were in high school, if not closer.
Meeting new friends is exciting but don’t forget your old ones!
