Before coming to college as a freshman, we tend to be so nervous about making friends. We are excited yet anxious, and it can be so hard to make good friends. College is the best time to make lasting friendships, with so many people with your similar interests and values being present. Although it can be easy to make friends for certain individuals, it can be so difficult to make true friends that will last a lifetime. Here are 5 tips I wish I knew before coming to college for making true friendships that last.
1. The friends you make the first few weeks of college may not remain your best friends for life
College is an exciting moment in our lives. We begin college with big hopes and dreams. Since we are so excited, we tend to meet people in the beginning that we imagine spending the rest of college, and even our lives, with. When I first got to college, I started befriending four people who were nothing like me, and I thought that is how everyone was in college since I grew up in a small, sheltered town. Then, they started to exclude me from their activities. I was devasted. However, through them excluding me I had to leave my comfort zone and look for new friends. If they would have never excluded me, I would have never found the friends I have now. Remember that even if you make friends early, which is great, don't think you have to remain with those friends and close yourself off to new friendships.
2. College is about finding true friends, not many friends
You will be meeting people from everywhere that do everything. As much as you want to become friends with everyone -- which is completely okay -- there will be a few select people that will be your true friends. I have always been the type of person that I wanted to please everyone and befriend as many people as I could. After a few weeks in college, I realized it is far better to have a few great friends instead of many friends. My mom always said, "Have quality friends over quantity."
I never really believed her until now. Your college friends will come and go, but a few select people will stay consistent until the end.
3. Get involved to meet new people, but don't overload yourself
There are a ton of ways to meet people on campus! Join a club of interest to you, go greek, talk to new people in class, join a living-learning community, there are a ton of ways to find true friends. However, don't join so much that you are overwhelmed. Take care of you first! It is so easy as new freshman to be so concerned with meeting new friends that you overwhelm yourself. Joining clubs and organizations is great, just don't forget to give yourself some you time, too!
4. Try to broaden your horizons!
Coming into college, I was looking for friends exactly like me. I wanted people that fit exactly who I was. However, I soon realized I would never grow if I found friends exactly like me. It's great to make friends who like having fun, they will make you enjoy life more, and it's also great to find friends who are focused on school to make you focus. Find people that make you enjoy every moment of life, even if they aren't necessarily the people you always pictured befriending.
5. Be true to yourself
The best thing about college friends is they should fully accept you for who you are. I am so blessed with the friends I have. They constantly support me and encourage me to be the best I can be. Not once have I ever felt I should act a certain way or be a new person. Find out who you are, stick with who you are and you will find the perfect friends.
