Many students worry about making friends in college, as their time there is one of the biggest and most essential periods in their lives. Friendships established in college will last a lifetime, and any useful acquittances made there will serve you well in your future career life.
This article will cover a variety of ways students can make new friends at school. Be sure to read it yourself or show your fellow would-be students to help them socialize.
Join a club or Greek life
Joining a club is a go-to method for meeting people in college. Whether it’s a club for biking, a social cause, or a sorority/fraternity, joining an organization gives your student a group of people with something in common and a setting where they can meet regularly.
Students can also find friendship opportunities in several other ways depending on what kind of school they attend. For example, those who attend community college may have a harder time making friends because they don’t live in dorms and instead head home for meals. However, they can still make new friends by attending campus events and chatting with people in the dining hall or around the neighborhood. Who knows, maybe you will find a future best friend, essay helper, or even a loved one among those strangers around you.
Go to events
The college environment is a great place to meet people. Students are surrounded by thousands of peers, many of whom are open to meeting new friends. Students can start making friends by attending campus events, such as a guest speaker or music performance, giving them an automatic talking point. Students can also check out the dozens of social activities on Facebook or their school’s website or ask their RA for suggestions.
Another great way to make new friends is to attend club and organization meetings. These groups offer an inherent degree of kinship, and students can find one that aligns with their values, academic interests, or career aspirations. If they don’t find a club that matches their interests, they can still make new friends by attending dorm parties or other events. They can also invite classmates to lunch or dinner in the dining hall, as many students go around the same time.
Ask to sit by someone
Some students may feel uncomfortable starting a conversation with a stranger, but college is the perfect time to do it. Whether you’re in a class with a potential friend or even just at an event during frosh week, it’s okay to ask someone to sit by you. If they appear uninterested or are deep into studying for a big test, it may be inappropriate to interrupt them, but next time, try again. But if they say yes, then you’ll know that there is a potential friendship to be made.
The best part about college is that it’s a huge social environment with thousands of peers, most of whom are open to meeting people. While this can make it hard to connect, it’s important to remember that everyone wants to make friends, so just be patient and keep trying! Some people glide into college and seem to know half the school by day three, but don’t worry if you’re feeling a little awkward; it’s normal.
Go to a party
Many students may not be fans of parties, but they are an integral part of the college experience and a great way to meet people. They can be a little intimidating for more shy students, but it is a good opportunity to practice talking to new people and forming acquaintances into friendships.
Many of these events have receptions before and after, so it can be easy to talk to people interested in the same things you are. Also, most campuses have dozens of different clubs that focus on various interests, so it is not hard to find one that will appeal to students.
Spending as much time out of the dorm room as possible is also a good idea because that will help students feel less lonely and make them more willing to form friendships. If students aren’t comfortable going to parties, they can still make friends by inviting classmates out for meals or drinks after school.
Host a party
College campuses are crowded with students looking to connect. While it’s not always easy, taking the initiative to put yourself out there increases your chances of meeting someone who could turn into a good friend.
Hosting a party can be a great way to break the ice and get people talking. Set up a few games encouraging everyone to interact and have fun, like beer pong or flip cup. Remember that if you live in a dorm, your neighbors might be upset at the noise, so make sure to inform them beforehand or maybe even invite them over, too.
If you are not into loud parties, try hosting a movie night, where everyone brings their favorite movies. This is a great option for students who don’t want to drink but still want to enjoy a fun gathering, and it will surely attract shy students who may be intimidated by large parties and prefer to stay closer to the edge of the group.
Go to orientation
Many colleges hold orientation sessions before classes start. If you go to these, it will be easier to become friends with people who are starting out at the same time as you are. It also allows you to meet people from different political beliefs, cultures, or religions and broaden your knowledge about many things around you.
Orientation usually includes a campus tour and information on academic requirements, student health services, tutoring programs, and recreation opportunities. If you see a classmate at one of these events, ask them if they’re taking the same course as you. If they are, ask them if you could join their study group or meet for dinner after class.
You may not make lifelong friends at orientation but try to socialize with as many people as possible. You might be surprised how many people you click with. You might even start the year with a small group of close friends – and this is just what you look for.
