How To Make Friends In College | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

How To Make Friends In College

The 8 easiest steps to guide your own experience

1.5k
How To Make Friends In College
Pexels

Like many prospective college students, the single most intimidating fear I had before beginning my freshman year was not being able to make any friends. While making new friends may seem like a taxing chore, especially to someone like me who is shy and a little apprehensive, it is not impossible (and actually from from it). Within the first few hours on campus after arriving for move-in day, I quickly realized my fears were irrational and that making friends was going to be one of the easiest aspects of college. While making friends is an easy process that tends to come naturally to people, here are some ways that you can better immerse yourself into the social realm in college:

1. Do not be afraid to smile.

A small gesture like a simple smile goes a very long way. Whether you are walking down the hall in your dorm, across campus to class, or waiting in line at the dining hall, smile. Other people feed off of your body language and overall vibes, and by smiling people will feel more welcomed by your presence. People who feel more comfortable around you are more likely to approach you and start conversation.

2. Be friendly with your neighbors.

Your neighbors are likely to be some of the first people you meet when you arrive to your dorm. Living in a coed dorm, I have two guy neighbors and two girl neighbors, both of which have become close friends with my roommate and I over the past few months. While you do not have to be best friends with all of your neighbors, it is good to have people you can rely on to be there for you throughout the year.

3. Join clubs around campus.

Joining clubs or activities around campus is guaranteed to help you find your place and friend group on campus. Many colleges have hundreds of clubs that meet every need and like of each student. If you join a club that you have a passion for, you are bound to find other members of that club who share the same interests and goals as yourself. These are great friends to have because you can attend club meetings and events with a buddy!

4. Join intramural/club teams.

The most common misconception about joining a sports team in college is that you actually have to be adequate in the sport. Intramural and club sports teams are more focused on having fun and making memories than the competition. So pick a sport that you love, start or join a team, and go have fun with a bunch of people who have the same level of experience as you.

5. Talk in class.

While talking during class is normally discouraged, professors often encourage it so that their students have the chance to get to know one another. If you exchange numbers with the people next to you in the class on the first day, that's a couple more people than you knew when you walked in. Having a buddy in class is also helpful because you can work on homework together, study together, and text them with any class related questions you may have.

6. Participate in campus-wide events.

Whether you attend a thon to raise money or a sporting game, going to campus-wide event is bound to help you meet people. These events give you the opportunity to meet people outside of your year, dorm hall, and classes. The people who sit and cheer with you in the student's section and the people who help keep you standing at an all-day dance fundraiser just might shockingly be friends you will keep for life.

7. Do not give up.

It may at times feel discouraging if you have a lot of friends, but none that you are particularly close with. However, with time you will find your niche. There are so many people who are just like you and who compliment your personality on campus. It may take some time to find them, but once you do you will have them for life.

8. Be yourself.

Remember to always be true to yourself, and to never attempt to be someone who you aren't. You will not make friends this way and will not be happy if you do. You want to surround yourself with people who respect your true self and love that is for what it is. Embrace who you are, and find friends who cherish your quirks just as much as you do. This will not only provide great happiness but friendships that will last a lifetime.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

79675
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

8266
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments