Finding Your Niche in College

Maureen Maher, Staff Writer|May 15, 2015

  1. Go to freshman orientation. It may sound cheesy, but going to events designed for freshmen can be beneficial when trying to meet new people. These events get students affiliated with not only the school, but also other students at the university. Orientations introduce students to the clubs they can join. Clubs usually have tables with a representative at them so that freshmen can sign up for the ones that interest them. Freshman orientation is a good opportunity for students to meet other peers who live in other dorms and have a different major, broadening their horizons to people they may not have met otherwise.
  2. Leave your door open. A majority of new college students will live in community housing. Dorms are a good way to meet people and have friends who live close by. The best way to immerse yourself in dorm life is to leave your door open. By doing this, students invite floor mates to come in and introduce themselves. In addition to their room, students can go to the dorm’s community room. Most residence halls have either a dorm-wide area for friends to hang out, or a floor hang out spot. These areas usually have televisions, games, couches and occasionally a kitchenette. Community rooms encourage residents to put themselves out there and meet new people.
  3. Join clubs. Universities usually have a wide variety of clubs that students can join. Clubs allow students to meet peers that have similar interests. Students should join groups that fit their personalities and interests in order to get the most out of their experience. These extracurriculars help students make instant bonds over a fun activity or topic. Many clubs have social events, fundraisers and philanthropic activities that allow members to get to know each other. In addition to the social aspect, student groups are a good way to get involved in the community around the university.
  4. Do not be afraid. Classes are a great way to meet new people. The students in class are those that you can spend time with studying for tests or working on projects together. Additionally, peers in classes geared toward specific majors are crucial because these students could end up in the same classes multiple times. This is important because students can form solid study groups that they can return to year after year, throughout their undergraduate education. Since these students will be majoring in the same area, they can study for many classes that are for their major. Students should put themselves out there and not be afraid to ask the person next to them if they want to study together.
  1. Attend university-wide events. University-wide events are usually held at least once a semester. They sometimes are a festival or concert for a low price that allows students to take a break from their studies and hang out with friends. These events have something for everyone. If it is a concert, the concert will likely have a variety of artists so that every student can go to something they like. This is bonding time for friends because they have time to relax, participate in fun activities and let others know about what interests them. At these events, friend circles collide, expanding friend bases even more.