I've made friends through meetup (theatre, am dram and various hobby groups).
I was a student & lp when dd was little, I was lucky to meet my bff at the same time, she was also a student and we reciprocated babysitting for each other which helped. Younger students babysat for me in return for other favours other than payment (as they understood I was skint) so they'd get a 2 course dinner that night, or I'd give them lifts and help with getting groceries or to train station when they were heading home in holidays as I had a car and drove and they didn't, or proofreading etc. A sort of trade of skills. Also meant I could go out on the cheap student nights. Depending on your uni, they might have groups aimed at LP or stuff that happens in the daytime? I went to a meditation lunchtime group among other things.
Currently also living in a small town where I knew nobody at first, have recently started at a choir which I'm enjoying.
At home I do cross stitch, adult colouring, knitting, crosswords, sudoku.
Definitely good for dc to do things for you, part of growing up to realise the universe does not revolve around their needs! I'm lucky that dd quite enjoys helping out including having an interest in cooking. She's 15 now but since around 10 she's been learning to cook/bake she makes a mean chilli!
And yes, this won't last...next thing you know you'll be like me wondering why you CBA to socialise despite having a child free night as they're away on a sleepover. Nothing wrong with relaxing with a wee drink and Netflix though.