How to Make Friends in College
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Many freshmen don’t know anyone at their school. Making friends in college can seem scarier than making friends in high school since you didn’t grow up with them. But college friendships can quickly grow to be lifelong friendships. Most students you meet are interested in making friends as an adult.
Whether you want to find a new group of friends or want to expand your network, here are 5 places you can find potential friendships in college.
Roommates
When you’re living in close quarters with someone, you see the best and worst of each other. This can create tension, or in the best case, lead to a lasting friendship. Apartments and dorms are great places for informal hangouts whether you’re doing homework, sharing the same kitchen, or staying up late together on the weekends. When you get to know the people close to you, you end up hanging out with people close to them, thus giving you more friendship opportunities.
Classes
Most students typically spend 12-16 hours in class. That is a lot of time. When you take classes that are in your major, you tend to start to see the same people. You have the benefit of having a shared interest with the classmates in your major, so you always have something to talk about. Classes that have group projects or labs give you a chance to connect with someone with similar goals.
School Clubs
Arguably one of the best places to make friends, school clubs give you a chance to mingle with a smaller group of students with which you have a shared interest. There are so many school clubs to choose from, and if you’re not sure which you want to join, you can even join several to see what interests you the most. Your campus will likely have intramural sports, social clubs, political clubs, student leadership, and many more. Once you find your niche, pick 2-3 clubs you can commit to long term so you don’t overcommit yourself.
Events
Campus events are another easy place to make friends because you always have a talking point, and you most likely share a similar interest since you’re attending the same event. Some events could include theater concerts, school plays, guest speakers, and themed dances. Join your college’s Facebook group so you will know what events are taking place.
Your Job
If you are interested in earning a little extra money while you’re in school, campus jobs are also a great way to make friends. If you work in a service role, you could end up talking to a lot of customers during your shift. Most of them will probably be college students your age. Having a job also gives you the benefit of having a small group of coworkers. You will all have the same job in common, so that’s a good talking point for building new friendships.
Moving away to an unfamiliar college can be scary, but making friends doesn’t have to be. There are many places to meet people on a college campus, and your college acquaintances can turn into life-long friendships. For more tips on college life, visit us here.
References
-“How College Differs from High School.” - https://www.baylor.edu/support_programs/index.php?id=88158#:~:text=College%20Classes&text=You%20spend%2012%20to%2016,(not%20including%20summer%20school).
-How to Make Friends in College: A Comprehensive Guide.” - https://collegeinfogeek.com/make-friends-college/
