How to Make Friends in College: 12 Best Tips
The beginning of freshman year at college is so stressful. You might only know a handful of people from high school, and maybe you don’t even know anyone.
Exchanging your old friends for a bunch of complete strangers can feel overwhelming. How will you make new friends in college?
When you’re surrounded by new faces and experiences, meeting new people is an exciting yet daunting task. Luckily, all incoming students are facing the same problem.
Making friends can be as simple as attending a few activities, engaging in conversations, and showing your true self.
Here’s how to find amazing friends as you navigate your college experience (even if you’re shy).
How to make friends in college
1. Make the most of Orientation
Attend orientation or the welcome weekend, and don’t skip sessions. Engage with fellow first-year students and don’t hesitate to introduce yourself. These gatherings are designed to have a welcoming vibe, perfect for making initial connections.
2. Say yes when you are invited somewhere
It doesn’t matter if you’re not really close to the person inviting you or if you don’t really want to go out. If someone has asked you to go do something with them and their friends, you go!
Being social is the best way to meet more fellow students. Also, if you always say no, people will stop inviting you.
3. Join Clubs or Organizations
Sign up for at least two clubs that align with your interests. This is where you’ll meet people who share similar passions.
You’ll see these familiar faces around campus and they’ll introduce you to their social circle.
4. Attend Social Events
Keep an eye on campus boards and social media for campus events like mixers, trivia nights, sporting events, extracurricular activities, or community service.
These aren’t just for fun but also great opportunities to meet like-minded people.
5. Talk in class
Don’t be afraid to talk to other students in class. Engage in group projects and discussions, and ask classmates if they want to study together. You’ll find that learning can lead to friendships.
6. Hang out in Common Areas
Spend time in common areas, such as dorm lounges or the dining hall. These places are social hubs. Strike up small conversations while waiting for coffee or during lunch hours, and see where they lead.
Starting a conversation with other first-year college students can be terrifying, but these social interactions are pretty low stakes.
7. Host Your Own Gathering
Once you’ve made a few connections, consider inviting people over for a movie night or study session. Make a conscious effort to invite potential friends to do things together. It might lead to lifelong friendships.
8. Follow Up
Get new friends’ contact information and follow up on Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. or with a text.
Send a quick text, social media message, or casual invite to continue the conversation or discuss a class project. Keeping in touch is key to nurturing these new relationships.
9. Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way in building strong connections. Share your interests and quirks; you’ll attract friends who appreciate you for who you are.
If this feels really hard, pretend to be a more confident version of yourself. Take a deep breath and pretend that you’re an extrovert who is great at meeting people.
10. Master Small Talk
Always have a few engaging questions in mind to start conversations, such as “What’s your favorite class so far?” or “Have you tried any good coffee shops nearby?”
Small talk about new things at college will help break the ice and let you find common ground.
11. Be Brave
Don’t be afraid to step outside your usual circles.
Attend events or try activities that aren’t your typical cup of tea. You might discover new interests and amazing friendships.
Also, don’t hold yourself back out of fear of being awkward or shy. Just put yourself out there.
12. Get to know yourself
Don’t be afraid to be alone. It’s a great opportunity to get to know yourself.
If you’re worried that other students might be judging you or if you have social anxiety, try not to stress about it. Every college freshman is worried about making new friendships and finding a group of people they connect with.
Building meaningful friendships takes time. Allow relationships to develop naturally. Don’t feel pressured to form bonds overnight; enjoy the process.
Final thoughts on finding a friend group in college
Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and stay open-minded as you meet diverse people
A great way to find friends with similar interests is to attend events and join activities sponsored by different types of campus organizations. You can also meet new friends at on-campus jobs, by playing intramural sports,
The first day and first week of college life can be the hardest, but for some students, It might take most of the first year of college to feel like they’ve made good friends.
Keep an open mind, be friendly and approachable, and be a good friend!
