Finding Friends in College

Ten Surefire Tips on Finding Your College Crew

Thu, Sep 25, 2008 by Alyse - Pitt

College Life, College Prep, Guys & Girls

One anxiety incoming college freshmen often have before going to college is whether they will be able to make as good of friends as the ones they’ve left behind. Don’t stress—chances are that you will make better friends than those you had in high school. How can you make these amazing friends, you ask? Here are ten tips from the masters- recent college graduates and College Prowler employees.

Keep an open mind – first impressions aren’t everything. Be willing to give people another (or multiple) chance(s).
Orientation – the events may be cheesy, but they give you and all your potential friends a chance to suffer through the cheesiness together. In the week before classes, everyone is in the same boat – all are new and most have no friends. Keep this in mind, and you’ll have friends in no time.
Clubs – join organizations that hold your interest; that way you will be immersing yourself in an environment chalk full of people who like the same things you do. Once you find an organization that you really like, don’t be bashful, get involved.
Sports – just like with clubs, by joining sports or intramural teams, you surround yourself with people who like to participate in the same activities as you. Being on teams and learning to work together can build strong relationships.
Dorm Life – freshmen dorms, though they may not be the swankiest establishments, offer an entire building’s worth of people who are just as new as you. Be sure to introduce yourself to people as everyone’s moving in and ask if they would like any help. Remember you will be living with these people for the whole year (unless you go Greek), so make nice, and get to know them sooner rather than later.
Greek Life – joining a fraternity or sorority can be a good way to put yourself in the middle of an already active social scene. This often depends on the college you are attending, however. Some of the College Prowler employees want to remind you that Greek Life isn’t the be all, end all, platform of University social life, and it is still easy to make friends and attend parties without it.
Pass Along an Invite – whether it is to go on a run, join you for dinner, go to a party, or just to chill and have a coffee, ask people to come along.
Don’t focus on already established friendships – if you are going to college with someone you already know, try not to spend too much time with them. Not to say it is a waste of your time, but it is easy to be drawn to familiar faces, thereby prohibiting you from meeting any new friends.
Classmates are just that, mates - If you have two or more classes in a row with someone, you can walk and talk with them, or if you see someone outside of class, realize that you have common ground. You are less likely to be on the receiving end of the ever awkward, “You’re in my ____ class right?” “Uh…”
Get the digits – once you meet people, get their cell phone numbers so you can call to hang out later, or friend them on facebook, and exchange email addresses. You’re not a stalker, you’re simply friendly and curious, and looking to establish lasting relationships.