Breaking the Floor Barrier

A guide to making friends at Bankside House

Bankside is a unique accommodation.

Having 598 bed spaces and a layout akin to a hotel, we don’t have conventional flats and flatmates that are typical of traditional uni accommodation and unis. With our accom being catered and kitchens typically being shared between 10-20 people, it’s also difficult to make friends by just jumping into those at the stove.

BUT, this layout shouldn’t be seen as a limitation. In fact, almost all my friends live on different floors in Bankside!

I’ll run through some easy ways you can expand your social circle beyond your floor:

💬 Groupchats

Especially in the first weeks at Bankside, group chats can be a great way for you to connect with and arrange plans with others/ find out what events are ongoing at Bankside. Groupchats on WhatsApp and Instagram in particular are super helpful! You can submit a request to join your halls official group chat here.

📅 Look out for official Bankside events

All official events occurring at Bankside will be highlighted on the LSE Bankside House Halls page. If you want to meet new people and get involved in the Bankside community, consistently checking this webpage is a must!

🍽️ The Canteen

Take advantage of the fact Bankside is a catered accom by treating it as a social hub. Sitting with a few friends next to other groups of people you haven’t met is a great way to start conversations and expand your Bankside social circle. It's low pressure and low effort, and you could even go to the basement after!

🎮 The Basement

A great, if not the best, way to meet people from different floors in Bankside is in the basement. Here, you are most likely to socialise in the Common Room and TV Room. The basement is THE spot before a night out, in between lectures, or winding down during the evening.  Whether it be preing before ministry or sports night, or challenging someone to a game of pool, you are guaranteed to make friends.

In the TV room, try hosting a TV night! Everyone loves watching the traitors. You could also try something a bit more interactive, like Just Dance or Karaoke.

Joining the games with the facilities provided by Bankside is also a good way of sharing a healthy competitive spirit. These include pool, table football, and table tennis. You could also hold your own gamenights including board games and mobile games, and invite others walking past to join in. 

📚 Last but not least - your classes!

During those conversations before or during class, ask everyone what accom they are staying at, I can almost guarantee that at least one person will be in your accom - just take the initiative and ask!