College is a great place, but also an intimidating one. On top of the fact that no matter where you go, there will always be people you’re afraid are larger and more fit. Especially if you’re not one for sports.
By the time you read this, it’ll already be more than a week into classes, and you’ll be surrounded by people pairing off, finding niches and cliques, and it may feel like you’re the only one who hasn’t met your best friend.
Yet, it’s only been two weeks at the max since you’ve arrived on campus, and there are plenty of awkward, anxious people who are just as scared to meet someone as you are. In a school of 2,500, it’s near impossible for everybody to have that all-star fraternity or sorority swagger. There are tons of people like you.
So, the question is, how do you find them? How do you talk to them? The best way to meet people is through organized activity. Join a club that centers around something you love. At a school like Susquehanna University, you can join the Disney Club, Pokemon, Literature Club. I, myself, founded Sub-Popular Cultural Coalition (SPCC), which we casually refer to as, “Nerd Club.” SPCC combines everything from Quidditch to YouTube nights to obsessing over fandoms, tabletop RPGs, and even painting potatoes. We’ve had so many stories about students who didn’t know anyone and have made great friends (and girl/boyfriends) for the first time in SPCC, and they’ve really come out of their shells.
If you’re in close proximity with people who are doing what you love, you’re bound to talk to people, but in a good way.
Social media is key as well. Going up to someone who you’ve never met before can feel impossible. Conversations require on the spot thinking and stress over saying the wrong words. Online, you can premeditate your sentences, make sure they are appropriate and quality. Online friends can be the best friends. Why do you think Tumblr has become so popular? Add some Facebook friends. Start out by liking their posts. Wait for them to like yours. Pretty soon, you can comment on each other’s feed, deliberate thoughtful responses, maybe even opening a private chat.
The best part is if others don’t like you, they have no bearing on your life. If you’ve met somebody, talked to them, and discovered they’re not your fan, move onto the next. They don’t have any sway over your life, don’t determine your grades, your career, or most importantly, your happiness. As I like to say, “Haters gonna hate. Alligators gonna alligate.”
But even if you’ve gotten through people judging and don’t care what they think, yet still feel hesitant about making the first move, you always have these steps to meet similar minded individuals.
