Being on campus for the first time ever, or after a long time away, is stressful enough. Making new friends doesn’t need to be too! Here are seven ways to connect with people on campus.
- Join Clubs
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Clubs are such a great way to meet like-minded people. You automatically have something in common with every single person in the room, so use this to your advantage and start a conversation with someone next to you! You already know they were interested enough to show up to the meeting, so ask them what else they may be involved in on campus. Chances are, you’ll share more than one interest! Club sponsored events are also a great place to meet people. These events are usually free, provide food or merch, and have large turnouts. Making the conscious decision to attend events like these leaves you with the perfect way to introduce yourself to others.
- Frequent the same places
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It’s easy to head back to your dorm in between classes and avoid seeing other people. However, making it a point to just sit and relax in a coffee shop or other high-traffic area on campus is a great way to meet new people. Establishing places like these into your day will make you realize how routine it is for other people to be in that same area during that time as well. A friendly smile and wave is enough to make it clear you recognize someone from the day prior. Try asking for their name, and inviting them to sit with you.
- Reach out through Instagram
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It’s not as awkward as it sounds; I have made some of my closest friends this way! People are always excited to interact with a new person from school that they already follow. This breaks down the invisible wall that social media can sometimes have, and leads to amazing friendships. If this seems too daunting, try waiting for them to post a story and simply react to it. This can lead to striking up a great conversation that hopefully ends in plans to meet up later in the week!
- Say hello in the lunch line
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Waiting in long lines while hungry is bound to annoy anyone. However, it is also a great time to engage in conversations with new people. You can ask them what their favorite meal at that food counter might be, or what they recommend skipping over when it comes time to order. You can also simply just complain about how long the line is and bond over your shared inconvenience.
- Give them a compliment
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Even if it’s just a quick compliment and a smile as you’re passing by, compliments make you memorable. That person feels acknowledged and appreciated, and will be more enthusiastic to cross paths with you again! Compliments are also a super easy way to brighten someone’s entire day or reassure them on what they think may be a risky outfit choice.
- Get to know people in your classes
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You already see your classmates at least twice a week. Knowing some of their names would make class a lot less daunting. Even if it’s just introducing yourself to the person sitting directly next to you, you’ll be a stranger to one less person. You may end up finding out you have a ton in common with them, or maybe that they understood the last unit that totally confused you. A new friend and a new study partner!
- Understand that everyone else is in the same boat
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Very few people go to college genuinely knowing more than a few other people. It’s a scary transition that everyone is either currently dealing with, or has already dealt with. Don’t feel like you may be the only person struggling to find a solid group of friends.