The Iglu Guide | Blog
Best conversation starters with new uni friends
Starting out at uni is a huge social change for most students, and can be more than a little overwhelming. Meeting new people makes all the difference when navigating this new territory – some of whom may go on to become your lifelong friends. And although some uni friendships seem to happen very organically, others need a little bit of luck and circumstance before they take proper hold. Whether you’re waiting in line for class, about to head out the door or catching a bus, a simple interaction could literally be a life-changing event. Put the phone away, pull out our headphones and get practising, because your new set of besties are just a conversation starter away…
Top tips
- Take any opportunity to talk to other students – especially in the early days
- Everyone likes to talk about themselves – try complimenting a name or look if you’re stuck for topics
- Be authentic – new friends will like you for who you genuinely are
- Stick to safe topic areas that you know will land
Study-time starters
Great for classroom chat, study groups or study meets on campus, these types of conversations have plenty of mileage and are great for building commonalities – even if it happens to focus on a mutual subject dislike!
- What course are you studying?
- Are you enjoying your lectures so far?
- I’m finding this module so tricky – how about you?
- I’m thinking about joining some uni clubs – have you done that yet?
- Do you ever use the library to study, or do you go elsewhere?
Life around campus
Connect with others and learn more about the local area. It’s a useful way to pick up some tips and tricks that you can share with other students.
- How are you finding the student accommodation?
- Do you know where to get some decent coffee?
- Have you been to any cool events around here so far?
- How are you getting to lectures?
- Are you finding it easy to get around campus?
Cultural connections
Connecting with a range of different cultures is a great way to broaden your horizons, and share experiences about studying overseas – as well as improve your English language skills!
- What made you decide to study in Australia?
- How are you finding studying in a different country?
- Have you picked up any Aussie slang?
- What do you miss most from home?
- Have you discovered any restaurants serving up your local dishes?
- What’s the weirdest experience you’ve had in Australia so far?
Personal interests
Indulging in your hobbies and passions is a great environment for meeting other like-minded students. Or the ideal space to try something completely new.
- Have you tried any other good uni clubs?
- What’s the most random thing you’ve joined since starting uni?
- Have you seen any good movies lately? I know how to get student pricing at the local cinema…
- How else do you find ways to chill out at uni?
Kitchen culture
If you’re living in shared student accommodation, you’ll come across a captive audience right there in the kitchen. Bonding over failed recipes, snack-sharing or kitchen chores is a perfectly low-key pathway to building new friendships.
- That looks great – have you made it before?
- Did you know how to cook before you came to uni?
- What’s your go-to easy meal?
- Have you checked out the local Coles/Woolies/IGA?
Friendship builders
Ideal for when you’ve made that initial connection and you’re looking for a way to enter the friendship zone…
- I’m going to check out a new coffee place after class if you’re free?
- Need a study buddy for the next exam?
- We should swap details for next semester…
- There’s a really fun student night happening, you should come along!
Just for fun!
Casual, low-key conversation starters can often lead to deep and meaningful relationships. Just enough to break the ice, a propos of nothing in particular, these fun-filled prompts could be the start of something special.
- Would you rather…. Swim with sharks or crocodiles?
- Tell me something about you that’s completely true, but no one would ever believe if you spoke about it?
- What’s more likely to exist, aliens or ghosts?
- If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
