Breaking the Ice: Engaging Conversations for a Memorable First Week of University
It's an exciting and transformational experience to start university! Making connections and developing friendships is important, but to be honest, it's not always easy to do on a campus full of new faces and people from different backgrounds. The first week can be exciting and unnerving at the same time because you meet so many individuals who might wind up being lifelong friends. Learning the skill of starting a conversation might be a game-changer for your social journey.
My name is Anjeli Jaikaran, and I am a fourth-year RTA School of Media: Media Production student pursuing a minor in News Studies. I’m here to help you connect with the people you’ll meet during your first week of school or even new roommates in residence or off-campus housing. I'm sharing some interesting conversation starters and topics in this blog, so keep reading!
Before you do anything or start a deep conversation, ask your fellow students their name, year and program. This can be the first indication of whether you will form a connection right off the bat! For me, I found it easier to strike up conversations with people in the same program as me. As mentioned, I am in Media Production, and there are a ton of different areas of study within this program, depending on what you enjoy the most. Getting to know where people want to go in life… sometimes it takes asking the deep questions first (I mean, hey, it is university after all, haha!)
Icebreakers That Will Break the Ice (It might seem cheesy, but it genuinely works — I promise)
Two Truths and a Lie: Share two true statements and one false statement about yourself. Others can guess which one is the lie, leading to amusing conversations and the discovery of common interests.
The Bucket List: Ask each other about your dreams and aspirations. This will start some interesting discussion about hobbies, travel and life experiences.
The Name Game: Encourage everyone to share the story behind their name or any unique nicknames they have. This icebreaker often leads to fascinating conversations about cultural backgrounds and personal histories.
Exploring Common Interests
When I was looking to make friends in university, the biggest thing that interested me was how we related to one another. Being able to find common ground is a super reassuring feeling! It definitely makes you not feel like you are not going through this journey alone.
Some topics you can discuss to learn each others likes and dislikes are:
Favourite Books, Movies, and TV Shows: Discussing popular literature, movies and TV shows is an excellent way to find common ground. You may not be the only one who is obsessed with watching Grey’s Anatomy or the reruns of Friends! You can recommend your favourites and gain suggestions for your next binge-watching or reading session. You can even recommend watching the show together (if you feel the conversation is going in this direction… and if it does… BAM! Instant friendship!)
Music Tastes: Music connects people like nothing else. Share your favourite bands, genres and concerts you've attended. There’s an advantage to living/going to school in Toronto since there are always concerts and music events/festivals going on. You might have been to the same event recently and didn’t even know it! You could discover potential concert buddies or even have a jam session together if you can play an instrument!
Sports and Hobbies: This area of conversation is my favourite! Finding people who enjoy the same sports as you can be a really great way to start a friendship. For me, I wanted to build an intramural volleyball team with TMU Recreation, so any time someone mentioned volleyball…instant friendship!
University campuses are filled with sports enthusiasts and hobbyists. You can talk about your favourite sports teams, outdoor activities or any unique hobbies you have.
Campus Exploration
Must-See Campus Locations: Learn about the greatest study spots, hangout areas or secret locations around campus that might lead you to exciting places you might not have otherwise known about.
Clubs and Organizations: Inquire about clubs and organizations that align with your interests. Share your passions and ask about others' involvement. This way, you can connect with like-minded individuals who share similar goals and aspirations.
Courses and Professors: Engage in conversations about the courses you've signed up for, favourite professors or interesting classes you've heard about. This can lead to valuable insights and potential study partners.
Comparing timetables to see how many classes I have together with my friends.
Personal Stories and Experiences
Childhood Tales: Share funny or heartwarming childhood stories. We all live different lives, so share yours! These anecdotes often spark nostalgia and relatability.
Travel Experiences: Talk about memorable travel experiences, favourite destinations and cultural encounters. I’m a huge traveler myself, and I always enjoy sharing stories and experiences from my trips around the world. Hearing the stories of others’ travel experience also inspires future endeavors (maybe even together as a group).
Life-Changing Moments: Engage in discussions about pivotal moments in your life, such as volunteering experiences, personal challenges or moments of self-discovery. These conversations can curate deeper connections and understanding.
Your first week of university is the best opportunity to meet diverse individuals, make lifelong friends and create lasting memories. By using icebreakers and exploring engaging topics for conversation, you can break through the initial awkwardness and build meaningful connections. Remember, everyone is in the same boat, seeking companionship and forming new bonds. So, step out of your comfort zone, embrace the excitement and initiate conversations that will set the foundation for an awesome university experience.
Sharing travel experiences is my favourite conversation to have! I’m always looking for a travel partner! This is from my recent adventure around Europe. This was taken in Lauderbrunnen, Switzerland!