If you’re anything like I was before I started my freshman year of college, you have an irrational fear that you won’t make any friends in college. Let me just tell you: it really is an irrational fear. I definitely did not think it was back in August, but looking back now, I can see that it is and always was completely and totally irrational. You probably won’t even realize that you’re making these incredible friends, but then, one day, you’ll look around, and you’ll be surrounded by these amazing people that you're lucky to call your friends.
Most colleges have certain programs that help you make friends over the summer—for Baylor, it was Line Camp and Orientation (kind of). Line Camp is a four day long stay at either Baylor (or a camp in a cool foreign country) where you learn the traditions of our school, meet other future bears, and, as my dad says, basically go through "Baylor brainwashing." Each person is split into a group of around 10-15 people, and each group is paired with another group for a portion of the week. Obviously, this event, and events like it at other universities, is designed not only to teach you Baylor traditions, but also to help you make friends. You might meet your life-long friends here, but you might also not really connect with anyone. That is totally okay, so don’t worry. There will be plenty of opportunities to make friends. In addition to Line Camp, there is Orientation. While Orientation is mainly geared toward informing you of all of the different possibilities for involvement at Baylor and getting you ready for classes and life at Baylor, it is still possible to meet some cool people here. Some majors have breakout sessions that provide this opportunity, or you might just sit next to someone at a large group session and hit it off. However, if you’re still worried about finding that close-knit friend group after both Orientation and Line Camp (or another university's version of it), don’t be.
Most colleges also have some sort of Welcome Week that occurs the first week that you move in. During Welcome Week, students are once again put into groups based on their major and are provided with activities to do that basically force them to find friends. Again, you might meet your best friend here, you might just meet some people who are taking your same classes that you can study with, or you might still feel like you haven’t made any friends. Here’s the thing—you will. It may take a couple weeks, or it may take a whole semester. Don’t give up and don’t worry because you’re eventually going to find your group and you’re going to love it.
My biggest advice to any incoming college freshman is to join an organization. Join a sorority if you’re into Greek life—especially if your school offers fall rush. If you go to Baylor, and have to wait until the spring to be srat, then find another organization to join, or go to the sororities’ fall recruitment events. Join a dance team, join a professional organization, or go to your school’s activity fair (Late Night at Baylor). If your dorm has hall events, go to those. Through my residence hall, I reconnected with an acquaintance from middle school who now spends almost every day chilling in my room, and who will be living across the hall from me next year. If you were in band in high school, and you’re wary of doing it in college, try it out—you can always drop it if it becomes too much for you. For me, I was very lucky to have joined the Baylor University Golden Wave Band because I met some of my very best friends and future roomies in that organization. I can’t really tell you when or how I met these amazing people, but I am very fortunate to have them. Whatever you do, just join something. And also be open to every opportunity that comes your way.
