Find your people on campus
A low-pressure way to make connections if you commute, live in residence, or are still looking for somewhere you feel comfortable.
Start here
Pick one place you can go back to
Look for a recurring activity that already fits your week, like a club meeting after class or a study table in the library. Check when it next meets and put that one visit in your calendar. Showing up is enough for the first time.
Put it into practice
Find a reason to be there
Choose an activity that gives you something to do or talk about, such as a volunteer shift, a board game night, or a course review session. Look at your student association’s club directory, your faculty’s peer mentoring page, or the library events calendar.
Make it fit your actual day
If you commute, look for a lunchtime or between-class activity rather than trying to stay late. If cost, noise, or access could be a barrier, ask the organiser about the fee, location, expected group size, or whether you can join online.
Start with one small conversation
Ask whether the other person has been to the event before or which part of the assignment they started with. You can also help set up or take on a small task if it is easier to meet people while doing something.
Return once, then try a specific invitation
If the first visit felt reasonably comfortable, go back at the same time the next week. When you recognise someone, invite them to something small and easy to decline, such as studying for 20 minutes before class. If the group is not for you, choose another place and keep the same approach.
You leave campus right after class
You have 35 minutes between Tuesday lectures and evenings are out. Try a recurring midday drop-in once, then return the following week. If you see the same classmate there, ask whether they want to compare notes before next Tuesday’s lecture.
Invite someone to a short study session
Hi [name], it was nice talking with you after [class/activity]. I’ll be at [place] on [day] around [time] to review [topic] for 20 minutes. Want to join? No worries if you’re busy.
Ask for a starting point if the campus feels hard to navigate
A peer mentor, student association, residence adviser, or international student office can help you find a group that fits your schedule and interests. You can ask about commuter spaces, cultural or identity-based groups, or smaller daytime events. If feeling isolated is making it hard to keep up with daily life, consider contacting your campus counselling or wellness service.
See more support optionsResources to go further
- University of Ottawa: Clubs and associations
Examples of student clubs, faculty associations, and groups built around common interests.
- UBC Student Services: Get involved
Ways to explore clubs, volunteering, and activities at UBC.
- UBC Student Services: Collegia
An example of a campus program with dedicated spaces for eligible first-year commuter students.