A guide to making friends in college (and maybe even beyond...)

1. Don’t be afraid to join clubs

Joining a club isn’t just another commitment to add to your list of growing commitments, whether it’s school, work, volunteering, or just making time for relaxation. Joining a club means finding people to hang out with who have similar interests to your own, and who possibly share your own ambitions in the same field. By finding these people, you’re able to pursue your career even more, which opens the door to many opportunities, one of them being friends!

2. That person (or people) who live above or across from you, Roommates.

Those few, or that single, individual(s) who live with you aren’t just there for the occasional small talk or gossip going on around campus/at work/what have you. They’re also friend material, but only if you or they make the attempt to get to know each other. Even if the two, four, or six of you have different majors, that just means a wider pool of friends to have, and sure enough there’s bound to be some within that mass of a friend circle who has something in common with you.

3. The Nerds

Though nerds have been cast aside for years due to playing amazing games such as D&D and being as misunderstood as the Pit Bull breed, they’re generally a kind commodity of people and willing to accept almost anyone into their tiny, get close-knit entourage. Chances are you’ll meet the most interesting of people.

4. The dreaded RA Floor meetings

The first ever floor meeting might sound like the most daunting task you’ll ever have to do in your college career if you’re an extreme introvert. Try to power through it. Most likely you’ll meet a whole bunch of people who don’t necessarily want to be there, yourself included. However, there are those rare, friendly souls who genuinely want to be your friends and will find something in common with you whether it’s how many pets you have, favorite band, color… anything.

5. Upperclassmen

Upperclassmen aren’t as scary as they may seem, in fact, they might be some of the best friends you’ll ever make! Wise from their x amount of years at said college, they know the good/bad professors on campus, whether they’re in your major or not. Being the adorable underclassman, the upperclassmen will often take on the role as a support system, and will often give helpful hints and advice to navigating life through college, as well as any parting words of wisdom, especially if they’re seniors.

If these don’t work for you… Try the first step, and create your own rules!

Sincerely,

A sleep-deprived college sophomore