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10 Ways To Jumpstart Your Social Life In College

Friendships are waiting to be made.

Lauren Hernandez

Jul 26, 2018

Purdue University

519

10 Ways To Jumpstart Your Social Life In College

Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash

In college, friendships can occur anytime and anywhere. Not only will you make amazing memories with your new friends, but these friendships can impact your college experience and make you never want to leave this place you'll soon find yourself calling your "home away from home." Here are 10 ways to jumpstart your social life in college and make long-lasting friendships throughout your academic journey:

1. Get a head start before school even begins.

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Make sure to look up when orientation is and be sure to attend. Orientation will help you learn more about campus, how to get around, and you'll meet other students who are just as eager to make friends as you are.

2. Visit campus before classes start.

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Plan on touring your campus prior to the first day of classes. Doing so can help alleviate your overall anxiety of starting something new.

3. Check Facebook for any school-related groups.

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Many schools, along with their program departments, have Facebook pages or groups that you can join. You could start connecting with future classmates online before moving in. There could even be conversations about upcoming events or club callouts that you could attend.

4. Meet people in your residence hall or dorm.

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Some of the first people you'll meet and spend a lot of time with are those in your residence hall or dorm. Definitely make an effort to get to know the people who are staying on the same floor as you.

5. Hang out on-campus.

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Some people experience trouble making friends in college when they do not maintain a presence on-campus when classes are not in session. Be sure to explore campus and get out of your room every now and then.

6. Get involved.

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Check out what kinds of clubs, groups, sports teams, and volunteer opportunities are available. Pick something that relates to your current talents or opt for an activity that you have always been interested in but have never done. You will enjoy yourself and probably find some new friends in the meantime.

7. Join a fraternity or sorority.

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If you have the time and interest, then you may want to consider becoming a member of a fraternity or sorority at your school. By getting accepted into a fraternity or sorority, you are instantly welcomed into a large group of people that will turn into lifelong friends and make campus feel smaller.

8. Find an on-campus job.

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Working at a place like the bookstore or coffee shop can be a great way to start making new friends in college. An on-campus job can offer you the opportunity to meet people, and those same people may recognize and approach you in other settings around campus.

9. Pick socially geared electives.

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If your program includes electives, then you should consider choosing classes that provide more social interaction with your peers. Courses like art, dance, music, philosophy, psychology, and theater can all provide the potential to build relationships and develop friendships.

10. Strike up a conversation whenever you can.

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Of course, you are not going to make friends with every single person you meet or talk to, but the more that you socialize, the more likely you are to find a handful of people who will turn into good friends.

"The friends you make in college are friends you'll have for life, even if you don't talk for years at a time." – Jessica Park

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

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For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

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Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

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Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

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Recommended for you

10 Ways To Jumpstart Your Social Life In College

Friendships are waiting to be made.

1. Get a head start before school even begins.

2. Visit campus before classes start.

3. Check Facebook for any school-related groups.

4. Meet people in your residence hall or dorm.

5. Hang out on-campus.

6. Get involved.

7. Join a fraternity or sorority.

8. Find an on-campus job.

9. Pick socially geared electives.

10. Strike up a conversation whenever you can.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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