Making friends in a new place can be daunting. Amy Pay gives you five films that can help break the ice.

Words: Amy Pay

Now that youÔÇÖve moved all of your stuff into your new room, itÔÇÖs time to figure out the people that you are sharing with for the next year. To help break the ice, gather your neighbours and kick back in front of a film (popcorn, drinks and onesies recommended but optional). Here are some viewing recommendations to ensure that your bonding session has the desired outcome. Who knows, it may go so well that you end up quoting scripts together before youÔÇÖve had enough time to remember each otherÔÇÖs names.

1. The Breakfast Club (1985)

Feeling like you donÔÇÖt fit? In a flat of students that seem like the kids you avoided at college? Well, this ÔÇÿ80s cult classic uses a diverse group of detention-bound teens to prove that we all have things in common with each other. You may discover that the neighbour you stereotyped thinks the same way as you after all.

2. Anchorman (2004)

Despite being a sexist, obnoxious and smarmy chap, news anchor Ron Burgundy manages to win over nearly everybody who watches this film. Learn how not to treat people while laughing at the newsroom frat squadÔÇÖs expense.

3. Ferris BuellerÔÇÖs Day Off (1986)

This film is probably the best lesson you can get in how to be a slacker. Freshers have a tendency to gravitate towards the activity anyway, so even if, at the moment, you donÔÇÖt recognise yourself in Ferris (smart, cheeky, good-looking) or his best bud Cameron (anxious, conscious-governed, closeted), you almost certainly will by the end of university.

4. Toy Story (1995)

ÔÇÿYouÔÇÖve got a friend in meÔÇÖ. That encouraging song is more than enough of a reason to watch Woody and Buzz hang out with their gang. ItÔÇÖll fuel a mutual nostalgia trip back to the 1990s, fill you with positivity and teach you about relationships, values and life. What a lot to gain from a toybox!

5. School of Rock (2003)

With sing-along tunes, bags of attitude and hundreds of one-liners, desperate Dewey Finn (Jack Black) will entertain you via the medium of rock and the mockery of rich kids. Cue public school versus private school debate.

Important note

To avoid being classed a creep/serial killer/bore/hater, steer clear of anything that falls into these categories:

• Anything painfully discriminatory, e.g. Borat: too easy to accidentally offend one of the group.
• Anything in a foreign language, e.g. Gomorra: too hard to make friendly chat when a story requires your complete attention.
• Anything dependent on knowledge of its prequel, e.g. New Moon: the uninitiated group members will be clueless and disinterested in you and your entertainment.
• Anything gross, graphic, grizzly or gory, e.g. The Human Centipede: having regular nightmares in your first week of independent living wouldnÔÇÖt be ideal.
• Anything too long, dry or serious, e.g. Titanic: over two hours of sitting still is an invitation to Snoozetown.