roshcrazy
Roshni Bhatia
From T. Murray.
Whether it's your freshman or senior year, making new friends is always on the agenda. Even on a small campus, you will meet new people each semester or quarter just by enrolling in new classes. However, it is not always easy to make a connection with someone or to find a reason to talk to the new guy or girl sitting in the seat next to you in class. Here are some traditional approaches mixed with modern day methods that will pump up your social life and get you over the hump after "hello."
1) Academic Clubs & Organizations
As a freshman joining an academic organization may be the answer to finding new friends. Pick a group connected to your major and it is likely you will discover students at varying stages of their college careers. You won't struggle to start a conversation because you can break the ice by talking about the professor everyone fears in your department or the internships you had over the summer.
2) Social & Specal Interest Clubs
All schools have social clubs in some form. These are generally student run organizations that are centered around a common hobby, interest or non-academic connection. You can find out more about these clubs on your college website or in the student center or similar area on campus where flyers, event information and notices are posted. If you are a sci-fi movie fanatic or are an undercover chess champion you will probably find a new friend who enjoys those same past times as much as you do.
3) Sports & Recreational Activities
Physical activity, whether individual or on a team, can help to relieve the pressure of a looming lab assignment or the stress of a final exam. Colleges and universities have official football, baseball and tennis teams, but many also offer co-ed extracurricular options as well. Playing an intramural sport is an easy way to ease your mind as well as mix and mingle with new folks. Find out more about these options at your institution's gym, health center or website.
4) Student Government
Have a passion for politics? Plug into student run government. You don't have to run for an office to get involved. Many components of student government are comprised of committee members and volunteers. Not only can you have an impact on social action programs on campus, you can also interact with some interesting people. Making new friends in this arena comes from working together, but the bonds of planning a visit from the city mayor or homecoming activities will make this friendship last.
5) Greek Fraternities & Sororities
Greek life is not for everyone and there are definitely more aspects to it than just the party scene. If you have an interest in a Greek letter organization, you will want to understand the process and procedures for fraternities and sororities on your particular campus. Your college homepage should be a good spot to find out the specifics. If you do "go Greek" you will undoubtedly make some lifelong bonds and open a door to future friendships that may follow you even after you graduate.
6) Multicultural & Religious Clubs
Going to a large school you might find it a positive experience to pursue membership in a club that identifies with your culture or religious affiliation. Most colleges have groups associated with ethnic minorities, such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Indian Americans and International students. Similarly, organizations specifically for those with Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Pagan, or other beliefs exist. Strong spiritual friendships begin here.
7) Dorms & Student Apartments
Whether you live on or off campus, your dorm, apartment complex or neighborhood is a place of transition. Single sex and co-ed dorms will often host events so that people on various halls or floors can get to know each other. Take part in these activities and you are sure to meet some new people who may become future friends and/or roommates. In your off campus neighborhood, the one difference is your new friends may not be students. This allows for non school related friendships to form.
8) College Club
Now for those who prefer to take add a technical touch to their social skills, the remaining items on the list will require the Internet. College Club has been around for years and provides an online forum for students to check each other out online. Membership is free. Tolerate the advertisements and you will also find some cool articles, bulletin boards and job opportunities on the site. More importantly, you can make friends, on campus or at other schools in the city and across the country.
9) Facebook
Facebook is only a little over 2 years old and they boast 9 billion users. Many of the members are college students like you. The reason? You must have a valid college, school or organizational e-mail address to join. Once in, you can meet someone on your campus who you might have otherwise not have bumped into in a class or extracurricular activity.
10) MySpace
What started off as a way for independent artists to promote their music, Myspace.com has grown to become a huge online presence for those between the ages of 13 and 25. You can search by school for students and find out as much about them as they place on their personal Myspace homepage. If you are too scared to speak in class (or maybe they sit on the other side of the auditorium) you can shoot them an e-mail or send an "add as friend" request.
Whether it's your freshman or senior year, making new friends is always on the agenda. Even on a small campus, you will meet new people each semester or quarter just by enrolling in new classes. However, it is not always easy to make a connection with someone or to find a reason to talk to the new guy or girl sitting in the seat next to you in class. Here are some traditional approaches mixed with modern day methods that will pump up your social life and get you over the hump after "hello."
1) Academic Clubs & Organizations
As a freshman joining an academic organization may be the answer to finding new friends. Pick a group connected to your major and it is likely you will discover students at varying stages of their college careers. You won't struggle to start a conversation because you can break the ice by talking about the professor everyone fears in your department or the internships you had over the summer.
2) Social & Specal Interest Clubs
All schools have social clubs in some form. These are generally student run organizations that are centered around a common hobby, interest or non-academic connection. You can find out more about these clubs on your college website or in the student center or similar area on campus where flyers, event information and notices are posted. If you are a sci-fi movie fanatic or are an undercover chess champion you will probably find a new friend who enjoys those same past times as much as you do.
3) Sports & Recreational Activities
Physical activity, whether individual or on a team, can help to relieve the pressure of a looming lab assignment or the stress of a final exam. Colleges and universities have official football, baseball and tennis teams, but many also offer co-ed extracurricular options as well. Playing an intramural sport is an easy way to ease your mind as well as mix and mingle with new folks. Find out more about these options at your institution's gym, health center or website.
4) Student Government
Have a passion for politics? Plug into student run government. You don't have to run for an office to get involved. Many components of student government are comprised of committee members and volunteers. Not only can you have an impact on social action programs on campus, you can also interact with some interesting people. Making new friends in this arena comes from working together, but the bonds of planning a visit from the city mayor or homecoming activities will make this friendship last.
5) Greek Fraternities & Sororities
Greek life is not for everyone and there are definitely more aspects to it than just the party scene. If you have an interest in a Greek letter organization, you will want to understand the process and procedures for fraternities and sororities on your particular campus. Your college homepage should be a good spot to find out the specifics. If you do "go Greek" you will undoubtedly make some lifelong bonds and open a door to future friendships that may follow you even after you graduate.
6) Multicultural & Religious Clubs
Going to a large school you might find it a positive experience to pursue membership in a club that identifies with your culture or religious affiliation. Most colleges have groups associated with ethnic minorities, such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Indian Americans and International students. Similarly, organizations specifically for those with Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Pagan, or other beliefs exist. Strong spiritual friendships begin here.
7) Dorms & Student Apartments
Whether you live on or off campus, your dorm, apartment complex or neighborhood is a place of transition. Single sex and co-ed dorms will often host events so that people on various halls or floors can get to know each other. Take part in these activities and you are sure to meet some new people who may become future friends and/or roommates. In your off campus neighborhood, the one difference is your new friends may not be students. This allows for non school related friendships to form.
8) College Club
Now for those who prefer to take add a technical touch to their social skills, the remaining items on the list will require the Internet. College Club has been around for years and provides an online forum for students to check each other out online. Membership is free. Tolerate the advertisements and you will also find some cool articles, bulletin boards and job opportunities on the site. More importantly, you can make friends, on campus or at other schools in the city and across the country.
9) Facebook
Facebook is only a little over 2 years old and they boast 9 billion users. Many of the members are college students like you. The reason? You must have a valid college, school or organizational e-mail address to join. Once in, you can meet someone on your campus who you might have otherwise not have bumped into in a class or extracurricular activity.
10) MySpace
What started off as a way for independent artists to promote their music, Myspace.com has grown to become a huge online presence for those between the ages of 13 and 25. You can search by school for students and find out as much about them as they place on their personal Myspace homepage. If you are too scared to speak in class (or maybe they sit on the other side of the auditorium) you can shoot them an e-mail or send an "add as friend" request.
