As an incoming college freshman, it’s normal to have a million questions. Where are my classes? How do I replace my lost ID? What do I say to that cute upperclassman? But the question weighing heaviest on your mind might be: How will I make friends?
Experienced collegiettes from the Her Campus team are here to tell you how they met their best friends freshman year, so pay attention. Class is in session early, ladies, so grab a pencil and get ready to take notes!
Orientation
There are few things more awkward than freshman orientation. Chances are, everyone is feeling as awkward as you, so don’t be afraid to make light of the situation and joke around with new people.
“That first week of school is full of awkward ‘socials’ meant to help freshmen meet other students in their dorm. Like any other curious freshman I was going for the free food, then trying to make a quick exit to avoid more awkward ‘what’s your major… where are you from…’ questioning. As I [was] walking through the quad one of the RA’s who helped me move in called me over to talk with him and a group of girls he was with. I [was] introduced to everyone in the circle, including one girl with curious style. Turns out we were the perfect match.” – Alaine Perconti, Contributing Writer, Miami University (Ohio) ’13
“One of my best friends was my freshman year roommate, and we had never met before Orientation. During Orientation my school puts on a square dance ice cream social, and my new roommate and I awkwardly stumbled through the hilariously uncomfortable square dance together. After that bonding experience we were pretty much set to get through anything together!” – Madi Tsuji, Campus Correspondent, Occidental College ‘14
In the Dorm
This might be the most obvious of all places to meet people. You live in a building chock full of interesting, new people who you’ll see every day, so take advantage!
“All of the first friends I made were people from my dorm floor. The memories and bonds you make when you’re living in a small space with people, bored and needing entertainment are irreplaceable. You watch awful movies together in the lobby, you go mattress surfing on the stairs (not recommended because someone WILL get hurt), you play the guitar in the elevators… all that craziness comes together in a real bond. I think I’ll be close with my dorm friends for the rest of my life.” – Meghan Frick, Contributing Writer, Appalachian State University ’12
“Back in freshman year I met my best friends because they lived right across the hall! Now we all live together and feel so lucky that we were placed where we were freshman year — talk about luck.” – Madeline Buxton, Contributing Writer, Yale University ’13
“When I first met my best friend Ellie, I never thought we would be able to get along. We were freshman roommates in a built-up triple in one of the worst dorm halls on campus. She was an engineering major and I was an English literature major. But we were bunk buddies and eventually we became the best of friends. We were known to everyone on the floor as ‘Ellie and Allie.’ We still catch meals at the dining hall together and as much as we annoyed each other sometimes as roommates, we’ve stayed close through college.” – Alexandra Churchill, Contributing Writer, University of New Hampshire ’12
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Class
Struggling through History 101 doesn’t have to be torture. Introduce yourself to the people around you and ask to study together or trade notes when someone misses class.
“I sat next to people in class I didn’t know and started conversation, exchanged numbers for homework and would later text them asking if they wanted to go out to a party. It worked well for me, and still does. You just have to initiate. People love making new friends, but half the time they aren’t confident enough to speak to a stranger or they are just comfortable with where they are at, you have to be the one to change it. What’s the worst that can happen, they say ‘no sorry, not tonight.’ It’s ok, really. And it’s fun!” – Nicole Lumbreras, Campus Correspondent, University of Iowa ‘12
Clubs
One of the easiest ways to meet people? Clubs! Look for something you’re passionate about, and if you can’t find anything right away then join whatever club sounds most interesting (or your school’s Her Campus branch!). You’re encouraged to try everything out, so don’t be shy!
“I met a friend at my school’s fashion club. We worked as dressers for the club’s semi-annual fashion show and really hit it off. While other people like fashion on a shopping level, she and I really understood the true beauty and are fashion junkies. After we met, we’d get coffee and talk about our favorite subject! Unfortunately, she is transferring this year; however, we’ve still stayed in contact and saw the Alexander McQueen ‘Savage Beauty’ exhibit at the MET [that] summer. While I’m really sad she’s transferring, I’m confident that we will stay in touch and that I’ll find other friends through the fashion club that share the views we bonded over.” – Kelsey Mulvey, Contributing Writer, Boston University ‘14
“I met my best college friends through my alternative break group. We were a group of students from across the entire university, from business to humanities to computer science to the arts, selected from a pool of applicants to design a service trip to a rural town in Nicaragua. We spent up until Spring Break fundraising, planning, and socializing until we hopped on a charter bus at 4 in the morning and rode over to the airport. The trip was unforgettable, as most service trips are, but something was special about us: after we returned from Nicaragua we couldn’t seem to get enough of each other. We all hung out for the rest of the year, and even met up in various places during the summer. The following academic year we were still tight as glue, and even though not every member returned to the trip, every one of us helped out the new group with planning, fundraising, and, of course, socializing. We’re very different from each other, and we argue a lot because of that. But we laugh, a lot, and we know that we have one thing in common: that we pulled off our completely student-run trip in just a few months time. These people have become my second family.” – Lauren Mobertz, Contributing Writer, Carnegie Mellon University ‘12
“I was in a fraternity at Emory, Alpha Tau Omega, and lived in the house for three years, so much of my social life revolved around Greek Life. I also twice served as a new-student Orientation Leader for two years, through which I connected to people from all corners of campus outside of my Greek social sphere. Beyond that, I was the also the President of the Emory Breakdance Club and Skeleton Crew, Emory’s only breakdance crew. Hours upon hours of practices, rehearsals, and performances allowed the club and crew members to forge strong bonds and life-long friendships. I feel fortunate to have been involved with a variety of extracurricular activities at Emory, which made for meaningful relationships with a diverse group of people.” – Ben Kassoy, Contributing Writer, Emory University ‘11
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A Bit of Advice…
A little advice is great, but a lot (and I’m sure you’re getting a lot) can be overwhelming. Don’t worry—as these stories show, you can make friends literally anywhere on a college campus. You’re about to enter a whole new stage of your life, so get excited (soon to be) collegiettes!