If you can’t be yourself at uni.
For a lot of people, university is the place where you can finally be yourself. However, you might have a different experience (and that’s okay).
You might have come to university looking forward to more independence, making new friends, and living as who you’ve always been. If that hasn’t quite been your experience so far, don’t worry. Whether you’ve just arrived or are starting to think about Graduation, there’s always time to find the people and places that make you feel safe to be yourself.
1. Find your place
Leeds is bursting with venues that cater to every hobby, interest, and community. Maybe you want to join an LGBTQ+ football league, find your new favourite artist, or volunteer with an organisation you’re passionate about.
Need help finding your place? Look out for flyers in local cafes, find organisations on Instagram, and don’t forget that Google is your friend. Here’s a handy list of places to start your search:
Volunteering
LGBT+ Spaces in Leeds
2. Find your people
Finding people who share or understand your experiences can help you feel safe to be yourself. It is never too late to make friends at uni, or even after you’ve graduated. It can feel daunting to step out of your comfort zone, and we know it’s even harder for international students. Here are a few places you’ll find a friendly face.
Community
- The Proud Trust: Use their group finder tool to find support networks for LGBTQ+ people, including specific groups for trans people and queer and trans people of colour.
- Bayo: If you’re from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic community, there may be groups in your area offering mental health and LGBTQ+ support.
- Leeds LGBT+ Community Consortium — Poetry and drama clubs, LGBT+ swimming sessions, and a big community waiting for you
- Get out, get active — Social group for making friends for staff and students
3. Remember you have time
There’s so much pressure to be your full self at uni. Lots of people will say uni was the best time of their life. It can feel isolating if you don’t feel the same way, or you might feel like you’re not doing uni right.
Spoiler alert, you are. Whether you can be yourself all the time, in your favourite office hour, or for a couple of moments a month, you still have your whole life to step into yourself. The most important thing is to keep going, even when it feels really hard. You’re beginning your search for the people and places that make you feel seen and safe, and that is so, so exciting.
