Many students experience loneliness or difficulties with friendships at some point during their studies.
Building new friendships takes time, and it’s normal for relationships to change over time.
Learning how to communicate, manage conflict and maintain healthy boundaries can support your wellbeing.
Ways to make friends at Leeds
- Ways to meet people – find activities and opportunities for you to meet people from around the world and build your community at Leeds, including events, clubs and societies and volunteering.
- Peer support – whether you are giving support or receiving support from another student, it can help you make new friends, build your confidence, develop new skills, and feel part of the university community.
Self-help resources
- Student Minds – Friendships and social life
- Centre for Clinical Interventions – Assertiveness resources
Books
The following books are available through the University of Leeds Library:
- ‘The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the center’, Rhaina Cohen – explores platonic partnerships and how the thrill, intimacy, and commitment we seek is often found through friendship.
- ‘The Book You Want Everyone You Love To Read’, Philippa Perry – explores relationships, the quality of connections in your life and things you can do to manage conflict better.
- ‘All About Love: New Visions’, bell hooks – reveals what causes a polarized society, and how to heal the divisions that cause suffering.
- ‘Conversations on Love’, Natasha Lunn – explores how relationships, including friendships, work and evolve over a lifetime.