Meeting friends in college can be a piece of cake for some but a significant challenge for others. College is clearly very different from high school, with the process of making friends easier for some, but harder for others. On one hand, you leave most of the friends you went to high school with. On the other hand, you have the opportunity to meet new friends in an environment where very few people know each other. The good news is that no matter which school you go to, there are some simple ways you can make friends. Here are five ways to meet people in college.
1. Join an on-campus organization or club.
Getting involved on campus is probably the best way to make new friends on your campus. Whether you join a volunteer organization, school spirit group, or honor society, joining a campus organization can help you make new friends. I have met many of my friends simply by working on campus, participating in the Honors Program, and writing for The Odyssey.
2. Talk to people in your classes.
Whenever you sit next to people in class, make sure to get their names and start a small conversation with them. You might be surprised that you have more than one class together or you are actually involved in some of the same activities on campus. You may also share many of the same interests (such as your major), making it easy to build a strong friendship with them.
3. Attend campus events.
Do you see signs for campus events all the time but never actually go? Going to campus events is a great way to meet fellow students. Whether it's a football game, a movie, or even a play, you will probably be able to meet a couple people along the way!
4. Meet people with similar values.
Perhaps you are very religious and you would like to meet like-minded people. Try out your campus ministry. Perhaps you care about the environment or are super passionate about animal rights. See if there is an environmental club or a vegan club on your campus.
5. Form study groups and find people who can tutor you/you can mentor.
Oh, the power of struggling together to get good grades. This common struggle can create friendships very easily in college, especially since you are helping one another achieve success.
These are five ways you can make friends in college. Although making friends in college is not easy, it certainly isn't impossible! No matter what, just keep trying to make friends, even if it takes a while to make some good ones.
