1. Join a club or group
Clubs are a great way to meet like-minded people and expand your network and social circle. Clubs and student associations organize their own events throughout the year and have a lot to offer!
Check out the full list of current clubs. Better yet, talk to club members in person at the Club Fair on September 3 and 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take a stroll down the tree-lined Grande Allée and discover our huge range of student clubs. The clubs go all out with colourful signs and friendly smiles as they welcome new members.
Whether you’re interested in charitable causes, academics, sports, outdoorsy adventure or something more niche, there really is something for everyone.
Can’t find a club you’re interested in? Why not create and register your own club!
2. Get involved
The best way to meet people is to get involved in university life. The first events of the year are Welcome Week activities, which encourage students to get out, explore the campus and mingle with other students. The University of Ottawa Students’ Union also organizes a separate, student-run 101 Week for first-year students.
Learn about all the upcoming events online and follow @uottawacampus for the latest updates. The University hosts a wide range of social and cultural activities right here on campus throughout the year.
3. Take part in your Faculty’s activities
In addition to 101 Week, organized by the Student Union, each faculty organizes its own activities.
Your faculty’s events are a great opportunity to meet people with whom you’ll hit it off in class, do schoolwork or just talk about an exam. These are the people you’re very likely to take courses with, indeed, to share your whole university adventure! It’s a great way to forge lasting friendships.
4. Visit the Carrefour francophone
The Carrefour francophone is the ideal place for fully francophone interaction in a warm setting. Whether it’s a coffee break, food tasting, cultural activity or friendly discussion, it’s a great space to meet other francophones and francophiles from all over the world.
See when you can drop by the Carrefour once you’re on campus and make yourself at home. You’ll find your comfort zone, for sure!
5. Register for intramurals
Nothing says let’s make friends like a bit of friendly competition, right? Right! Well, at least that’s the case in uOttawa’s Garnet and Grey intramural leagues. Choose from a variety of recreational sports leagues, at two different levels of play, and sign up as a team or as an individual for the fall and winter terms.
Learn more about intramural leagues and be sure to enter the August 19 registration start date in your calendar.
6. Try one of our drop-in activities
Stay in shape and meet new people by taking part in one of our many drop-in sports activities. You just have to show up to play football, basketball, volleyball, badminton or pickleball, or simply go to the gym. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your workout partner there!
No registration’s necessary, and all programs are included in your student membership. See the drop-in activity schedule and plan some recreation time between your classes.
7. Participate in class
Get to know your classmates, and not just for social reasons — they can help you keep up with the course material and remind you of exams and assignment deadlines. Get to know your team members if you’re doing any group projects, or create or join a study group. Having common ground is a great way to meet new people — you can work together on the next math problem or peer review each other’s papers.
8. Choose interactive courses
Some courses take place in smaller classrooms and encourage all students to speak up. These courses are a great way to interact, express your opinions and, especially, make contact with your fellow students in or out of class. The Faculty of Arts’ language courses are a good start! Check out Introduction to Translation (TRA 1301) and Public Speaking (CMN 2135), for example.
9. Volunteer
Volunteering is a win-win. Not only do you get to meet new people, you'll also gain valuable experience and learn new skills that will help you stand out in the job market once you graduate. Log into your uoZone account to browse the list of volunteer opportunities in the Community Engagement Navigator.
10. Find a job that suits your own pace
Whether it’s on-campus employment or something off campus, a job is a great opportunity to form friendships outside of class. You’ll meet people who aren’t necessarily in your field of study, with whom you can learn in a work setting. You’ll also be able to make connections that will definitely be useful later on in your professional endeavours.
11. Dare to get out of your comfort zone
Now that you know how to make new friends, the first step is still to get out of your comfort zone. What if you arrived early for a class and took the time to say hello to someone new to you?
Who knows, it could be start of a great friendship! Leaving your familiar cocoon can seem intimidating, but rest assured, some nice surprises are waiting for you on the other side. And anyhow, nothing ventured, nothing gained!
12. Don’t forget about yourself along the way.
Take care of yourself. Take some time for yourself if you need it.
The Wellness Lounge is a great place to start. It’s a judgment-free space where you can relax, have fun, meet fellow students and play games. It has a light therapy room, a plant room, virtual reality games and regular therapy dog sessions. You can also take part in a wellness workshop (the program will soon be updated), another excellent way to break the ice.