University life is exciting, but it’s also where many students experience fake friendships for the first time. While making friends is part of campus life, not everyone who smiles with you has good intentions.
Knowing how to know fake friends in university can save you emotional stress, financial loss, and academic distraction. This guide explains the clear signs of fake friends, why they exist on campus, and how to protect yourself.
Why Fake Friends Are Common in University
University brings together students from different backgrounds, lifestyles, and goals. Some friendships are formed for the wrong reasons, such as:
- Access to money
- Academic help (notes, assignments, exams)
- Popularity or connections
- Accommodation or resources
Because students are still discovering themselves, fake friendships can easily go unnoticed.
- They Only Show Up When They Need Something
One of the biggest signs of a fake friend in university is conditional friendship.
Red flags:
- They only call when they need money
- They appear during exam time for notes
- They disappear when you need help
Real friends don’t treat you like a resource.
- They Never Support Your Success
Fake friends feel threatened by your progress.
Signs include:
- They downplay your achievements
- They mock your goals
- They discourage you from trying new things
A true friend celebrates your success, not competes with it.
- They Gossip About You or Others
If someone talks badly about others to you, chances are they talk badly about you too.
Watch out if they:
- Share private information
- Enjoy spreading rumours
- Laugh at people behind their backs
Trust is the foundation of genuine friendship.
- They Pressure You Into Things You’re Uncomfortable With
Fake friends often push you to:
- Drink excessively
- Skip classes
- Spend money you don’t have
- Engage in risky behaviour
Good friends respect boundaries and personal values.
- They Are Never Happy When You Say No
A fake friend becomes distant or angry when you refuse a favour.
Warning signs:
- Emotional manipulation
- Silent treatment
- Guilt-tripping
Real friends respect your decisions.
- They Compete With You Instead of Growing Together
Healthy friendships encourage mutual growth.
Fake friends:
- Turn everything into a competition
- Compare grades constantly
- Feel jealous instead of motivated
University should be about growth, not rivalry.
- They Don’t Respect Your Time or Priorities
If someone constantly disrupts your studies or personal plans, take note.
Fake friends:
- Pressure you to skip lectures
- Ignore your deadlines
- Make fun of your discipline
True friends respect your future.
- They Only Associate With You When It Benefits Them
Some students only stay close when:
- You have money
- You’re popular
- You have access to resources
Once the benefit ends, so does the friendship.
- They Don’t Defend You in Your Absence
A real friend protects your name even when you’re not there.
Fake friends:
- Join in negative talk
- Stay silent when you’re attacked
- Pretend nothing happened
Loyalty matters.
- You Feel Drained After Spending Time With Them
Your emotions are powerful indicators.
If you often feel:
- Used
- Anxious
- Guilty
- Drained
…it may be time to rethink that friendship.
How to Deal With Fake Friends in University
- Set Clear Boundaries
Learn to say no without guilt.
- Reduce Personal Sharing
Protect your plans, finances, and private life.
- Focus on Self-Growth
Invest time in studies, skills, and hobbies.
- Choose Quality Over Quantity
One genuine friend is better than ten fake ones.
How to Build Genuine Friendships on Campus
- Join clubs and societies
- Connect with classmates who share values
- Be yourself, not a people-pleaser
- Observe behaviour over time
Genuine friendships take time to reveal themselves.
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