Making friends in college

ARE you going to a new school, college or university? Getting a new social circle can be a scary thing, especially if it’s the first time you’ve moved to a new place, but it’s not half as hard as you think. Check out these tips to get started.

Meet lots of people

The temptation when you are new is to connect with one person and to hang on for dear life. If you happen to have met your future BFF that’s great, but it’s unlikely.

Remember that when you are nervous, you may overlook differences in ideas and activities. For example, your college friend may appeal to you because you both study law, but she may spend her free time cooking and cycling whereas you like tennis and reading.

At the beginning that won’t matter, but when you get settled you’ll want people to share your hobbies. So for your comfort, make lots of new acquaintances. Then, you can study with your friend and see other friends for tennis and book club.

Bottom line: the more social groups you belong to, the better.

Join a club and turn up

If you’re shy, the best thing to do is to join a club because these have regular activities centred on things everyone likes to do.

However, don’t think that you will make friends instantly. You’ll need to go several times before you figure out who they are and before they get to know you. After all, friendship isn’t like instant coffee – it needs to brew.

List your favourite hobbies and look for clubs and groups where you can meet like-minded people. Once you join, commit to show up to every single meeting for the first two months.

To make sure you don’t strike out, join at least two clubs. Three, if you can manage the time.