1. You have to make the first move.
Making friends is just like dating. Everyone is scared to make the first move. Instead of going throughout your day wondering why no one has approached you, take the initiative. Talk to a person in each of your classes. It could be the girl sitting next to you, or the boy you were forced to be in a syllabus day welcome project with. Whoever it is, talk to them.
2. Search for similarities and differences.
After you've accomplished this first step the conversation should be free- flowing. However, if you get into a rut of not knowing where to take the conversation outside of in- class topics, then focus on similarities and differences. By latching onto similarities and differences that come up in the conversation you can move the friendship from "school friends" to friends that continue to talk after the semester.
3. Not every conversation has to lead to a bff.
Don't stress about the first conversation. Not everyone you talk to will become your best friend and that's fine. Simply look at talking to a new person in your classes as just that- getting to know them.
4. Clubs…
We've all heard it before. Join a club, make friends! While this is true in some aspects, make sure to join those clubs because you're actually passionate about the topic. That way, even if you don't end up with a close friend right away, you have many acquaintances that you can relate with and get to know slowly.
5. Don't judge yourself.
Walking into the first day in a classroom where the majority of students are looking at their phones or talking to their already established friend can be nerve- wracking. Keep calm and think about all the positive attributes you have to contribute to a friendship and as a person.
6. Don't search for a "group of friends".
A group of friends that surround themselves with each other can appear very appealing. In fact, in Highschool I had a group of friends that I still see to this day. However, in college I've enjoyed diversifying that immediate friend group. You'll meet people through separate classes, clubs, etc. There's no rule that you can't have genuine friends if its not locked in a group. Also, group think can be destructive, so let's stray away from that (another article, another time).
Above all, remember you are as fantastic, worthy, and unique as any other person in your daunting Psych 101 lecture class. You'll kill this year and every other year. Be bold, live without caution, and never judge.
