Seven activities to do with your new flatmates

Whether you have seven (or 17) flatmates, living with people you’ve only just met can be daunting. You might feel pressure to get along with everyone from day one. Perhaps the creation of your flat’s Whatsapp group chat will one day be fondly remembered in a future wedding speech. Right now though, you might just want to stop feeling awkward using your own kitchen. These activities are the perfect icebreakers for you and your new flatmates.

If your flatmate is an international student, why not introduce them to the culinary delight that is Greggs

1. Attend SU events
What better way to break the ice than trying something new together? Society and Student Union events are a great way to get to know your flatmates outside of your building – and they don’t stop after Welcome Week. Circling or quizzing, crafting or dancing, there’s something for everyone: the wackier, the better. Why not invite one of your flatmates to join a society event with you? Introducing flatmates to the friends you made during Welcome Week is a quick and easy way to expand both your circles.

2. Take a trip to Tesco
Whether you’re a stone’s throw away, or the walk to Tesco feels like something your parents would describe as their school commute, it’s always better with friends. Going together also means there is someone to share the load should your shopping bag break on the way back and you drop everything all over the pavement (not a personal example). If your flatmate is an international student, why not introduce them to the culinary delight that is Greggs at Cannon Park?

3. Movie Night
Grab your underdone popcorn, sweet treats, and cosiest blanket as you and your flatmates watch something you all agree is good, or at least so bad it’s good, on whoever’s Netflix account is sacrificed. Remember: love is sharing a password.

4. Host a party
If you’ve been to another flat for pre-drinks, or have heard something going on and felt you were missing out, why not suggest your flat host a party? It’s best to check with your flatmates first (after all, that is what the group chat is for). Then, turn up the music and enjoy a night of partying in the comfort of your own kitchen.

5. Play board games
Whether it’s a god-forsaken 9am lecture or a good old British downpour keeping you in, a board game night could be the perfect way to get to know each other’s competitive sides and relax after a long week. Games are a great way to hang out with lots of your flatmates at once and at least one of them has probably brought Cards Against Humanity. Don’t be afraid to throw away the rulebook and introduce house rules (alcoholic or otherwise) to really get into the competitive spirit. Alternatively, why not go along to the RCT Board Games Night, which happens every Sunday from 6-9pm in the Student Opportunity Hub?

Whatever you’re doing, ask one of your flatmates if they’d like to come along

6. Cook together
It is an inevitable fact that you will not be able to make it an entire year having never shared the kitchen with a single one of your flatmates. Perhaps, you have already attempted to negotiate the unnecessarily complex act of three people trying to microwave frozen ready meals at the same time. Sharing the kitchen intentionally can relieve some of this stress, as well as help save money and prevent food wastage. It’s a good idea to ask about food allergies before you start.

7. Invite everyone to everything
It’s that simple. Whatever you’re doing, ask one of your flatmates if they’d like to come along. Whether it’s a last-minute trip to Ikea, watching a match at Fusion Sports Bar, or heading to the gym – the options are endless! It’s nice to have company, and they will feel included too.

And just like that, with these seven easy steps, your flat is a harmonious paradise… at least until the bin rota needs revising.