Don't Just Sit There Your First Year. Get Involved

When it comes down to it, college is what you make of it. If you plan to succeed, it’ll mean long study sessions all alone into the wee hours of the night. But where’s the fun in focusing only on academics? No, we’re not condoning treating college like one long party, but there’s a fun side and social side of going to school, and yes, those aspects take some effort as well.

If you’re dorming your first year, as you probably are, you’ll be meeting plenty of new faces and making all sorts of new friends—that’s one of the best parts about dorming! When you’re living in such close quarters, frankly you have to make an effort not to get to know your fellow dormmates.

And then there are classes. As in high school classes, you’ll be paired up with other students for projects, in-class debates, and all sorts of academic group work. These all provide opportunities to speak with people you otherwise wouldn’t have and to make new friends. But in some classes, namely those big lecture-style classes, don’t be surprised if you don’t speak with anyone; with a professor lecturing in monotone to a group of 100 students, there’s not exactly much room for conversation.

Next to dorming, the best way to meet new friends involves a simple process: find a club or activity that you’re interested in and … join it! You’re really just making up excuses if you say there’s no club that interests you. Your school, not matter how big or small it is, will have a plethora of clubs and activities for you, the student. Some involve interest in an academic field, some focus on sports, and others revolve around downright eclectic interests such as medieval philosophies and lesser-known board games—trust us, no matter your hobbies or interests, there’s an extracurricular club out there for you.

Not only does getting involved in an activity further your initial interest, but you’ll be surrounded by people with a common interest. Again, you’d have to practically try not to meet new people. And whatever your chosen activity, you’ll only further develop that interest by being immersed in a group of just-as-avid other students.

The sooner you get involved in a club, the better off you’ll be. It’s easier to get to know other members when everyone’s still new and looking to make new friends. That and if you arrived to school without knowing anyone, you don’t want to spend your first semester eating alone and hanging out with your goldfish all the time, do you? So be quick to get involved. School clubs and organizations will be peppering you with fliers and handouts to get the word about their club. Don’t just stuff those in your trash. Read them. And better yet, sign up!