Going into freshman year of college, you may look at your hobbies and interests and, in a moment of panic, think, “Oh God, who would want to be friends with me?”
Well, here’s a secret – everyone’s interests are equally weird and diverse, but can still be very common. When you find someone that loves the same obscure band you do or meet a hallmate with the same DVDs as you on her shelf, all of your doubts will fly out the window.
Still not convinced? Here are some common factors that spill out during orientation and help you make a friend:
1) Location
If you’re from New York like a good majority of Siena students are, you’re almost guaranteed to find somebody from the same area as you. Those from other nearby states will feel an even greater bond with their natives because they’re of a fewer quantity. People from your general hometown area will probably get those jokes about your high school that slip out from a force of habit. Put that together with having a buddy to travel home with on breaks and you’ve got yourself a friend!
2) Fandoms
It doesn’t matter if your loyalty lies towards Harry Potter, Divergent, or The Avengers, because fans of any of these exist on campus. Fellow fans are usually discovered through seeing posters on someone’s wall, the movies on a shelf, or even someone’s Doctor Who-themed PJ shirt in the communal bathroom (um, guilty). As a self-professed nerd, I know that we are sometimes hesitant to reveal our geeky interests, but sharing your loves can bring amazing people into your life.
3) Majors
Orientation usually includes a meeting with all of the freshmen in your major and the professors in that department. For science majors, the bonding (ha, that’s punny) usually happens more quickly because those guys have no other choice but to befriend each other to help out with homework. With other majors, this happens more gradually, but by sophomore year you should definitely have a group of friends within your major that you may or may not obsess over teachers with – it’s a good time.
4) Icebreakers
Yes, they’re awkward and incessant, but these games get you talking to one other. Truthfully, people bond over how endless the icebreakers are, so it’s a win-win either way! Go into these with an open mind and try not to feel too self-conscious.
5) Loneliness
I promise this one isn’t as dark as it sounds. We are all nervous going into freshman orientation, and even if you have a high school friend at college with you, things may not turn out to be the same between you. The majority of kids are away from home for the very first time, and everyone’s desperate to find their niche quickly. This fear of loneliness motivates you to be so friendly that you may not even recognize yourself. You’re capable of bonding with people without even realizing it. Don’t stress about it too much! You are going to meet some awesome people!