Finding Friends At College
That moment when you finally push your parents out from hovering at the door of your dorm room and see them drive away in their car is a magical feeling.
You're finally without any rules or restrictions. But, unless you're fortunate enough to choose the same college as one of your high school friends, you are completely and utterly alone. Luckily enough, you're not the only one. Nearly everyone else in the dorms is feeling exactly the same as you are. But before you make the jump and commit to being fast friends with nearly everyone you meet, just keep these words in mind. It will take time to find your people.
Once you do though, you'll know. Just know that in these first few weeks, you are far more likely to find friends that will last you through college and college alone. But after a year or two, you will have most likely have found your friends to last you through your lifetime.
Finding friends to get through your first few weeks of college can be a daunting task. Your first attempt at a friend should always be with your roommate. Since you two are going to spend quite a bit of time together in your box-sized dorm room, it's best to be acquainted.
Don't be afraid to set boundaries such as no parties in your room, quiet hours, and whether boys can stay the night or not. It may seem awkward to set such boundaries so early, but it can be vital in deciding whether the two or you will be able to stay friends or not.
Once you finish becoming acquainted with your roommate, try to leave your door open for the first couple weeks whenever either of you are in there. That way, when someone walks by the have the option to pop their head in and say hey.
Next on places to find friends to click with, instead of exploring dirty tables filled with strangers in the cafeteria, try going to the library, art building, English building, or recreational center. Wherever you feel you will spend the most time during your freshman year at, go check it out, give it a tour, and meet other new students exploring the area.
This way, you are far more likely to run into people with common interests and majors instead of trying to relate to total strangers who would rather be eating the pizza sitting in front of them than having someone try to chat their ear off and learn their life story.
Lastly, when trying to find friends that will last you past your college years, try taking a couple of your major classes during your first few years instead of getting all of the general education classes done first. When you take classes that revolve around your future profession and career, you will have an easier time finding friends that are like-minded and have similar goals to you. This also helps to build connections in the case that one of these friends score an internship and can recommend you for the same internship the next year.
College isn't only a time to make friends; college is also a time to network and create business opportunities for your future. So, when you walk into that classroom or lecture hall, don't be afraid to plop down next to that girl or boy sitting in the front row. If you're serious about your academics, be sure to surround yourself with people like yourself.
Finding friends at college can be daunting at first, and finding the right friends can take far longer than you'd like, but stick to it and as long as you put yourself out there, it'll be fine. Just be sure not to settle for friends that drag you down or make you uncomfortable.
