Ultimate Guide to Making Friends in College and School
Get the top tips and actionable insights on how to make friends on your school or college campus.
Are you scared of starting a new school or college because you might struggle to make friends? Don’t worry, many other student think the same.
Students often ask open-ended questions about how to make friends at college because they’re heading into a new chapter of life with many unknowns. It’s understandable why you may need a few ideas and pointers to help find your social footing on campus.
This guide shares essential tips to help you make friends in school and college.
Introduction to how to make friends in college
Humans are social creatures, which is why you’ll see so much talk about how to make new friends in college. For many of us, close friends are the people we trust the most, helping through the hard times and celebrating the best ones.
However, despite what we see on TV and social media, college and high school friends don’t appear out of nowhere. We have to put in the effort to make them first. It may not be as easy as some people make it seem.
Everyone is different, meaning that some will have more trouble building connections than others. However, every person can meet new people and form connections quickly. It’s just about finding that “click” with others.
Your New Hub for Meeting People Who Get You
Why do school and college students have trouble meeting new people?
Arriving on a new campus is the time to start fresh for almost everyone. It can be hard to make friends in college, even for the most social person.
So, why do students struggle to meet new people in their freshman year? Here are a few of the most commonly shared obstacles.
- Immediate pressure: You may feel pressure arriving at college or a new high school to meet people immediately. Many students think they should be the belle of the ball right away, just because their parents, social media or TV say it’s easy. You may be an expert in how to make friends outside of school. But this is a new environment with different pressures.
- Social anxiety: People are different and the same social approaches may no longer work. Being social doesn’t come at the drop of a hat. Many things are happening in a new environment, and not everyone processes interactions in the same way. You may be shy, struggle with confidence or have limited experience outside your social circle. Remember, you’re still young. Nobody expects you to know how to be more social in college.
- No relatable people: You’ll have your people radar on as soon as you arrive at your new campus. It’s easy to scout for new friends immediately and decide that there’s no one like you, so you can’t find any common interests to get connected. However, you never know who has similar interests. Not only that, but your potential friends could be the people you least expect.
- Information overload: Arriving at a new college campus can be overwhelming due to the amount of information that is presented all at once. You’ll get your class schedules, initiations, policies, maps and more. It’s a lot to take in in a short amount of time. Getting your head around academic and campus life may be your top priority rather than learning how to socialize in college.
- Academic concerns: Many students are worried about how they’ll fit into an academic environment. They’ll arrive at a new campus decorated with trophies and commendations. It may overwhelm or put pressure on you. But everyone’s in the same boat, looking to make friends just as you are.
- Homesickness: Naturally, going to college may be your first time far away from home. Homesickness can be a real obstacle to making new college friends.
Is it important to have friends in school or college?
Making friends in college or high school isn’t a necessity. Many students prioritize their studies or outside social circles.
However, studies show that forming friendships on campus can have numerous positive effects on both your academic performance and mental health. It’s also worth noting that many people form lasting connections in school or college, including best friends and even future spouses.
Benefits of making new friends in college or school include:
- Find quality friends who positively impact your well-being
- Create a support system for your college life
- A knowledge-sharing circle to improve your grades
- Learn new life skills from other students
- Make residence hall life more fun
Putting in the effort to find new peers can yield all the benefits listed above and more. Students who fail to build connections on campus tend to feel more isolated and distressed, which negatively impacts their well-being and can have lasting effects on their lives.
But despite the challenges of your first semester, understanding how to make friends at a new school can be easier than you think.
How to make friends in school or college: 10 tips for success
If you struggle to make campus buddies, you’re not alone. There could be someone in the same class reading this right now, looking for tips on how to become best friends with people like you.
Here’s how to make more friends in college and school.
1. Get out of your comfort zone
Getting out of your routine and your social status quo is one of the hardest things to do when joining a new campus. There’s a lot to think about when the semester begins.
However, breaking your social norms can help you find friends quickly. You can leave your comfort zone by striking up a conversation, listening actively and putting that phone away.
You’ll be surprised at how many people will respond positively to your efforts.
2. Attend campus events
Campus events are a regular occurrence. There’s a social opportunity for everyone, with events such as intramural sports, gaming meetups, social clubs and parties hosted by student organizations.
Attending events means you’re more likely to meet like-minded people. Even if the occasion is outside your comfort zone, take a deep breath and show genuine interest.
Arriving a few minutes early can also help you get off on a good foot with others.
3. Find groups with common interests
It doesn’t all have to be about attending events outside your comfort zone. With such a large number of people on campus, it is likely that some groups share similar interests.
You can use social media groups, student organizations or digital platforms to find on-campus clubs that share your interests. No matter if you’re a dance obsessive or you’re looking for a Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) group, there’s almost definitely something going on campus. Many students also enjoy card games and strategy games, so if you’re interested in tabletop gaming, you can play Magic: The Gathering locally or online with fellow students.
There’s a brand-new platform dedicated to helping people make friends online and locally through shared interests, helping students find their potential friends.
4. Join clubs or extracurricular activities
Many schools and colleges will have already existing clubs and extracurricular activities that will make finding a fitting group easier. You’ll likely find academic clubs or sporting events to attend, which can help you meet people.
Popular clubs and activities on campuses usually include:
- Sports clubs (basketball, soccer and lacrosse)
- Academic clubs (mathematics, economics and debate)
- Religious study and support groups
- Dance showcases
- Theater communities
- Gaming and eSports meetups where you can find gaming friends online
- Arts and crafts
- Tabletop gaming and role-playing groups, where Professional Dungeon and Game masters run organized games
Getting involved in one of these activities can greatly help engage with others. Doing something you love with similar people can spark thriving companionship.
5. Spend time in study groups
If you’re entirely focused on your studies, that doesn’t mean there’s no time to meet new people. Almost every school and college will have study groups and clubs dedicated to sharing and improving knowledge in specific subjects.
Why not take your studies to the next level while being social? Academic and religious study meetups are another excellent way to engage in thought-provoking conversations and discover common interests.
6. Leave your dorm door open
If you’re living in a residence hall, leaving your dorm room open can be a great way to meet new friends. It shows that you want to invite people to come in and introduce themselves, and you’re not afraid to connect with others.
Also, don’t be afraid to say hello and introduce yourself to your dormmates with their door open. Others will do the same thing for the same reason, inviting anyone in to strike up a conversation.
7. Be authentic
One essential tip for making friends in college and school is always to be yourself. The most authentic version of you will always be the right direction to build friendships.
It’s easy to try to be someone different to impress others. However, the best friendships come from a genuine place.
Of course, you may not be compatible with everyone. But being yourself means that you’ll have a better personal experience with new friends of different backgrounds.
8. Share meals with others
Meal times are a great way to connect with classmates. If you’ve started to find a peer group, consider joining them at the lunch table during your school day to strike up a conversation.
Even joining someone who’s eating alone can help you meet some fascinating new people. Meal times don’t have to be limited to lunch hours, either. You can go for coffee, dinner or a quick snack to catch up.
9. Always reach out
Even after you’ve met someone new and hit it off, it’s essential to stay in touch with them. Many people may still be nervous about talking or having a conversation, possibly overthinking their encounters with others.
Many don’t know how to make friends in college as an introvert. If you’re one of these students, learning how introverts make friends can provide strategies tailored to your personality. If you notice someone that seems to be introverted, ask a few questions, invite them to activity clubs or offer to accompany them to class.
Reaching out does make a difference. It’s easy to get lost in campus life sometimes, where having a friend who talks first shows that you value them.
10. Use technology to your advantage
Technology can also play a key role in helping you build relationships in college or school. We all have smartphones and computers, and we can use them to our advantage.
There are apps, forums and platforms that can help you find many opportunities to socialize with your classmates. These include clubs, campus events, mixers, and various activities taking place in the local area. Whether you’re looking to find TCG or TCG players locally, technology can connect you with fellow enthusiasts in your area.
You can also use technology to build connections, especially if you’re an introvert. Over half of teens today have started a flourishing friendship online.
Create or join chat groups, class discussions and online forums to talk about everything and nothing. Many students also use online platforms to organize study sessions, movie nights, or tabletop gaming meetups. If you’re interested in role-playing games, you can use a Dungeons and Dragons group finder to connect with fellow students who share your passion for storytelling and adventure.
Find Your People, Fast
Tired of dead-end group chats and flaky events? Use Nerd Culture’s Group Search to instantly connect with student-run communities based on your exact interests—whether it’s D&D, cosplay, anime, or game nights.
What should I do if I’m still having trouble finding friends on campus?
It’s not unusual to struggle with social interactions on campus. While the tips above can equip you with tools to get out there, you still might find it hard to engage with people for one reason or another.
Here are a couple of actions you can take if you’re struggling socially:
- Connect with campus resources to help find ideas on how to interact with students
- Reflect on social interactions and consider alternatives if one approach doesn’t work
- Work through emotions to try to stay confident
- Seek different channels to connect with others
- Stay present and don’t get lost in social media flurries
Revisit the tips mentioned in this guide after some rest, relaxation and reflection. Remember, almost all campuses will have student resources if you need to reach out to someone for help.
Start making friends in your new school
Understandably, learning how to make friends in school when you are shy can seem daunting. Walking into the unknown and being expected to be a social butterfly is a lot to take in.
However, meeting people with different backgrounds and experiences can be one of the best things that has ever happened. Today, you hear all kinds of stories of people who met their best friends or partners on campus.
Don’t spend your college years isolated from the groups that could change your life for the better. Use these tips to get out there and meet some new people.