This past week, I moved into Converse College and went through the “Welcome Weekend” program.

There was a plethora of activities, meetings, and ice breakers. The enthusiastic upperclassmen were trying to get the freshmen and transfer classes involved in the festivities. I was a little tentative at first just because it was a new environment and I was coming to my senses that college classes were starting soon. But I realized that in order to get through the year without having a mental breakdown, I needed a support system.

I was lucky enough to know a few people coming in from past summer programs and my old high schools. However, there were still 250 other strangers that I had yet to meet and socialize with. I first decided to try and sit at different tables during meal times. I vaguely remembered some students from summer orientation, so I mustered up some courage and tried to break the awkward silence. A simple “Hi” or “What is your name?” or “What is your major” would almost always spark a conversation. After all, people love talking about their personal interests and goals. I actually bonded with more people discussing our common love for food or our common hatred of the upcoming presidential election.

Next, all the welcome weekend activities were required, so I ended up sitting beside different people in each meeting, which provided opportunities for a quick chat. I realized that we all were a bit tense in this new atmosphere and foreign community so that also helped me get out of my shell. In orientations, we could not talk too much for fear of being reprimanded by orientation leaders. However, when we had excursions in downtown Spartanburg, I migrated from group to group introducing myself and striking up a conversation. For one, I was able to make friends with a math major who is willing to help me with calculus if I ever have trouble. Also, when waiting to proceed into the auditorium for the welcome presentation, I heard people talking about Pokémon Go, so I had to discuss my newly-caught Snorlax with 1103 CP. It is completely fine to join a conversation unless the initial participants are intentionally hunching over and speaking quietly. At that point, use your good judgment.

Another way to achieve “social butterfly” status is to meet people living in your residence hall. I don’t go around knocking on random people’s doors, but you’ll have hall meetings to meet other peeps and your roommate might have some connections on campus. I also invite people who live in other dormitories to come see my room, which can be awesome if you ever want to hang somewhere outside of your living quarters but not drive anywhere off campus. If you commute, this is no big deal. You can still hang with your friends’ dorm rooms and go to evening activities on campus. I advise you not to go home immediately after classes because you’ll miss out on social experiences in college.

Also, if you are car-less like I am, it is nice to have friends who will gladly accept your off-campus dinner date proposal or take you to run errands. So do not be afraid to ask around, but don’t start out by asking for a chauffeur; you might be seen as presumptuous.

Finally, you’re going to find a family in your classmates and people who share your major. You will run into these people every day and know them almost too well within a month. If you are in a larger college, that may not happen as quickly, but you’ll recognize faces. I’m lucky that there are only 800 or so undergraduates at Converse, so I will be able to form a lot of meaningful relationships in a relatively short amount of time. With these friendships, I will have the support needed to keep pushing when I have four papers due in the same week or I have two recitals coming up.

So to summarize, I offer you some quick advice. One, do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and start a conversation. While there will still be people who approach you first, that won’t always happen. Go to on- and off-campus events where you can meet other students in different environments. You also might meet other college students who don’t attend your school. Furthermore, get to know your classmates and the people in your dorms. These are the people you will spend the most time with and they will be the ones to give you food and encouragement at one in the morning. Get involved in extracurricular activities for more opportunities to socialize; plus, they’re good résumé builders. Finally, be yourself. People don’t appreciate “fakeness” in friends, so just be authentic and genuine. And if they don’t “feel” you, then that is their problem and their loss.

Stay social, my friends. You will find your squad, I promise.