College is a fun time full of challenges. As a student, you will have more freedom, but there are many people you don't know at the beginning of college. However, you can make new friends by leaving your comfort zone and being positive. You will lose social opportunities if you continue to stay in your room. Instead, dare to greet people who pass you, do various activities with friends, and get involved in campus activities. In order to make friends, open your mind and be honest with yourself.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Be Proactive
Step 1. Come to class early and open up a conversation with a new friend
Being in class ten minutes before class starts is an opportunity to prepare and chat with classmates. Even if it feels uncomfortable, start a conversation with a classmate you don't know. Comment on assignments to prepare, school activities, or eccentric lecturers.
- Invite classmates to chat by saying: "Today's reading assignment for class is too much, huh?" or “Our lecturers are known to be fierce. I'm getting nervous!”
- Introduce yourself if you don't know the friend sitting next to you.
Step 2. Invite friends to hang out
Take the initiative to invite classmates or roommates to do activities together, for example: lunch, study, or exercise. Don't wait until someone invites you. Socializing is one way to make friends and become a person who deserves respect.
- Schedule socializing activities on the sidelines of your busy schedule by doing activities with friends, for example: eating, studying, or exercising together.
- If you don't like going to parties, invite your friends to hang out at your lodge to watch a movie or play a game.
Step 3. Have a chat with one person you don't know every day
Open conversations anywhere. Say hello to the student in the elevator next to you or the student standing in line behind you when paying for food in the cafeteria. The more people you meet, the more likely you are to meet new good friends.
Step 4. Keep the bedroom door open
If you are doing activities in your room, open the door to your room so that your roommates feel they are allowed to stop by and greet you. Wave and smile when your friend passes in front of the room or offer a snack. Fellow lodgers usually wouldn't refuse a free meal.
Leave the bedroom door open only when you are in the room. When leaving, lock the bedroom door so it doesn't get stolen
Method 2 of 4: Activities on Campus
Step 1. Come to a campus event
You can't make new friends if you lock yourself in your room all day. After you've dressed up, go to a ball game, dance, party, or attend a college festival. You can meet many new friends in this activity. In addition, the latest information about campus activities can be a material for conversation with friends.
Step 2. Do your homework in public areas
If you have to prepare for an exam, study in a quiet place, for example in the library, but when completing assignments, work in the study room or in a coffee shop. Choose a seat near students who seem friendly and then invite them to chat.
Start a conversation by asking her about her favorite coffee drink or borrowing a pencil. For example: “Hi, I've never had coffee here. I'm asking for advice, what drink should I order?"
Step 3. Come to fulfill a friend's invitation
If someone asks you for coffee, lunch, or a workout, don't turn them down! Leave your comfort zone to meet new friends, but don't ignore your values.
If you don't like to party, don't force yourself to come to parties. You can socialize in other ways
Step 4. If you live in a dorm, make it a habit to eat in the dining room
Instead of eating alone in the room, make it a habit to eat with other students in the dining room and make time to meet new friends. Don't hesitate to choose a seat next to someone you don't know or start a conversation while getting a drink of water.
- Introduce yourself to new friends by saying, “Hi, I'm Tono. We've met here several times. I live in a dorm. Where do you live?"
- Discuss the menu of food served. If the housekeeper serves up your favorite menu, ask him, “What did you think of today's dish? The sambal is good, huh?”
- If you don't like eating out, invite a friend to cook or buy food to share.
Method 3 of 4: Join Activities and Clubs
Step 1. Join a club on campus
Find information about clubs in the student senate or through the campus website. You can join campus clubs, for example: academic clubs, professional training, culture, arts, and volunteer clubs. Choose the club you like the most and get ready to meet new friends with similar interests.
- If there's no club you're interested in on campus, start your own. For example: form a student association for art lovers or a unique interest-building club.
- Do not schedule activities beyond your capacity. As a new student, you need to adjust to campus life. At the beginning of college, join a club, don't immediately follow various activities so that you don't feel burdened.
Step 2. Join a sports team
One of the fun activities is exercising in a team. If you want to practice a new sport or enter a competition, join a sports team on campus. Competing, practicing, and winning together is a great way to make new friends.
If you don't want to be tied to a team, work out with friends a few times a week or work out at the gym
Step 3. Volunteer
If you feel called to do social activities, find out if there are campus organizations that offer opportunities to volunteer or facilitate communication with other organizations. Social activities are very useful for diverting attention from the routine of studying, helping others, and meeting people with similar perspectives.
Apart from on-campus, find out if there are opportunities to volunteer off-campus. Form your own team if you're not interested in the activities
Step 4. Find a job that provides lots of social opportunities
You can work part-time by tutoring friends on campus, waiters, or salespeople. In addition to earning money to pay tuition fees, take the time to build relationships with coworkers and customers.
You can meet many students while working on campus. If you want to get to know people in a new environment, look for off-campus work
Step 5. Join in activities according to hobbies
Develop creativity by doing activities that interest you the most, for example by joining a group to learn regional dance or making handicrafts.
Step 6. Form study groups
Email residents or classmates asking them to form study groups. You can get to know new friends and some lecturers by discussing lecture material that is difficult to understand. This method can also help improve test scores!
Step 7. Become a teaching assistant
After undergoing several semesters of college, you can take part in the selection to become a lecturer assistant whose job is to help new students by teaching practicum or discussing practice questions. In addition, you can make friends with other teaching assistants and students who take your class.
Step 8. Get involved in the religious community
If during high school you regularly worshiped, maintain this good habit by joining a religious community on campus. In addition, you can continue to worship and meet other believers. If there are no religious activities that match your beliefs, look outside campus.
Method 4 of 4: Make Friends the Smart Way
Step 1. Be a friendly person
Many people prefer to look at social media to appear busy when feeling awkward or nervous. This behavior makes them shunned. Don't be busy fiddling with your phone. Show body language that makes you look relaxed and confident, for example: smiling, standing or sitting up straight, and making eye contact when chatting to sound friendly and gregarious.
- Don't cross your arms and keep looking down.
- Pretend until it works. Even though it feels awkward, you will feel relaxed if you appear confident.
Step 2. Be tolerant of everyone
Campus life is an opportunity to meet people with different backgrounds and identities. Do not be discriminatory because of different backgrounds or not high school friends. Open up your horizons in making friends because you can make good new friends if you want to open up to everyone.
Step 3. Find friends who like to socialize
College friends have very diverse traits. Some are shy and some are always the center of attention. Make friends with anyone, but choose one or several friends who are good at getting along, enjoy making new friends, and making things fun.
This will allow you to meet more people and make it easier for you to build friendships with supportive friends
Step 4. Be honest with yourself
Maybe you've heard this message many times, but it's worth reminding again. In general, freshmen want to quickly make friends on campus so they change to fit in. However, forced relationships usually don't last long. Instead, be yourself for a genuine and lasting friendship.
- Develop your talents and strengths, instead of focusing on your weaknesses. Don't be discouraged if you don't understand math. Focus on foreign language skills!
- Take time to reflect on the value of your beliefs and hobbies. What is most important to you? What life goals do you want to achieve?
Tips
Embarrassing events are sometimes opportunities for close friendships
Warning
- Be patient and open your horizons in making friends. You can't form groups and make best friends in a short amount of time.
- Remember that you are on campus to study. Try to strike a balance between socializing and studying.
