I remember this time last year I had a million thoughts going through my mind from excitement of beginning a new phase in my life, to being scared and a little sad to leave home, my friends and family for the first time. Yet I would constantly also think about things like how would I make friends? Would people like me? Will it be hard to fit in?
However I have to say all my concerns about making friends was primarily solved because I lived in student halls. This is why I always recommend first years to stay in student halls in their first year. Life in student halls is an experience in itself and allows one to learn so much like, how to live with several people under one roof (in my case 7), how to cook and survive on a budget, how to balance time and etc.
One of the biggest things that student halls have given me are very close friends who have become almost like family to me and are in fact my biggest support system. I remember when I landed in Dundee and entered my student halls everyone had this warmth to them and that made talking and getting on with them so much easier. Also once everyone had arrived we decided to have a flat meal in Nandos, which was a great way to break the ice and get to know everyone. I would recommend that you do something similar with your flatmates as it helps to get to know each other better. One of the most important things to remember is that everyone is ideally on the same boat as you, so you don’t have to be scared or shy, simply be yourself!