Life as a college student can be the best (or worst) time of your life, it all depends on what you make of it. Some students, however, find that getting acquainted with their campus and making lasting relationships is a hard thing to do. Whether you are a commuter, night student, or just not that great at meeting new people, here are a few ideas that may help you make your academic year a little more tolerable and fun!
Hang out on campus – A number of students that do not live on campus usually arrive, go to class, and leave once they are finished but they do so not realizing the opportunities they have to become involved on campus and see new faces. So, yes, while class is important and you should definitely attend, also make sure to take load off somewhere because you never know what great conversations await.
Join a club – Campus activities and clubs are a quick and easy way to get involved. Simply sign up for the ones that interest you the most (NEVER agree to things you do not like, it always fails, trust me). Joining a group allows you to instantly make connections with your peers and create potential friendships through projects and hosting events on campus. Remember, when in doubt, join a group!
Talk to your classmates (NOT in class though!) – Classrooms provide a large supply of potential friends and connections. Take advantage of this by asking questions (even if you really don’t have any), offering your help with homework, joining study groups, and just try to be an outgoing person in the classroom.
Study groups CAN be fun – One of the major misconceptions about study groups is that they are dull and provide nothing for you. While I would suggest studying on your own before studying with friends (because we all know how that works out sometimes) but, study groups can be an effective tool for starting new friendships. Having buddies to study with makes you feel like you are not alone and while jobs and other obligations may stop you, push yourself to say yes. You may be surprised what could happen.
There’s a SOCIAL in social media for a reason – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. all great in responsible doses and if you use them effectively (and safely I might add) then you can build connections with students across your campus. Posting pictures of your day, funny things you find, or just a whacky face may brighten up someone’s day and they may just want to start building a friendship. Remember, social media has its ups and downs so be safe, but also have fun.
Just be yourself – Last but certainly not least. It is always important to remain true to who you are not only for yourself but because people can recognize a genuine person from all the rest. Trying to make yourself into something you are not or being dishonest with yourself can have a drastic effect on the relationships you have and the future ones. So please remember to just be yourself because when life is short and college is even shorter, so you should enjoy it to the fullest extent if at all possible.
