After a year or so in college, it can seem like there’s nobody left to meet—especially if you go to community college, a small school or a liberal arts college. And if you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, meeting potential SOs can be even more difficult. Don’t give up hope, collegiettes, there are plenty of ways to meet new people, even when it feels like you already know everyone!
1. Visit your LGBT center
If your school has an LGBT resource center, you should definitely consider getting involved! It’s a great way to make new friends and meet potential SOs, but also to raise awareness about queer issues. And who knows, by advocating for your community and attending events like pride parades and rallies, you could find your soulmate!
2. Join new clubs
All savvy collegiettes know that joining clubs is the best way to find your place on campus. They don’t have to be LGBTQ+-specific! Whether you love sports, music or comic books, getting involved is sure to bring new people (and love interests!) into your life. Plus, by developing your interests and skills, you’ll gain all the confidence you need to bring into a relationship.
Related: 7 Queer-Girl Dating Problems (& How to Deal)
3. Get to know your classmates
It’s definitely not always easy to get to know new people on campus, but what about your classmates? If you’re anything like us, you roll into lecture halls just as the professor starts to speak and you leave the second he or she dismisses the class. This is a total missed opportunity!
You could meet people in your class who you wouldn’t have met otherwise, and this could totally lead to something great. Shelby*, a fifth year at the University of California, Los Angeles, who transferred from community college, can definitely attest! “The one person I did date during my time [at Pierce College], I had met in a class,” she says. To break the ice, try bringing up an assignment or something you didn’t understand in the class.
4. Make the most of social media
If you’re too shy to approach someone in class or if you don’t know if they like girls, social media is your friend! “Facebook helped a lot, because I was able to network and find people who went to my school in the LGBT community and they were also able to find me,” says Paige Charbonnet, a fourth year at UCLA who transferred from Irvine Valley College.
Paige met a girl in a class (told you it works!) and added her on Facebook. This girl then messaged Paige and it turned into a two-year relationship! Technology is pretty cool sometimes.
Related: 6 Places to Meet Cute Girls This Summer
5. Join dating sites
If it feels like you’ve exhausted all your options at school, joining dating sites could be the way to go! You might meet people from campus who are not necessarily out, or you could match with people from your town who you wouldn’t have run into otherwise. Shelby joined OkCupid, but you could also get yourself a Tinder account or try Match.com.
6. Check out the local bar scene
So you feel more comfortable meeting people in person? Totally understandable. If you’re 21, bars in or around your college town could be a great place to meet people who do or don’t go to your school! This relaxed party setting could have you scoring plenty of digits, so why not grab a friend or two and head out to a bar (gay or otherwise)?
Fewer students on campus means fewer potential SOs—it’s just basic math. Luckily, there are plenty of ways that you can make the most of your campus and college town to branch out and meet new people. Good luck, collegiettes!
*Name has been changed.