At the end of summer, a flood of freshmen will flow over campuses nationwide.  These newcomers to campus life will have a set of fresh experiences – new dorms, new classes, and, hopefully, new friends.  In those first few weeks, freshmen will be more open to forming friendships.  This initial openness will fade as the semester wears on and freshmen have settled into cliques.  For those who are introverted, and tend to develop friendships more slowly, this dynamic may prove challenging, and they may find themselves without close connections as the semester advances.

For this cadre of freshmen, Unemployed Professors has compiled this special list of tips that will guarantee you the support and companionship of close friends as the semester progresses:

• Be You

The years of high school conformity have passed you by.  In college, and in ‘real life’ after, people are less drawn to façade, and more to genuineness.  When you are real, those who share your interests and are engaged by your personality will be attracted to you.  These are the people you want in your support network of close friends.

• Be Outgoing in the Dorm

Dorms are full of other freshmen who are facing the same challenges as you, and are therefore eager to make friends.  Make sure you participate in the activities scheduled for the common room.  This is a great way to meet people.

• Get into Extracurriculars

When you get involved in intramural sports, or join a student club dedicated to a cause or activity that interests you, there is a strong chance of meeting like-minded students with whom you can form close friendships.

• Share Meals

Try not to get into the habit of eating alone.  Meals are a great opportunity to get to know others, and to share a little about yourself.  Being open about the difficulties you are encountering – such as homesickness, or feeling overwhelmed – will help endear you to your peers, and is a catalyst for bonding.

• Prepare an Arsenal of Small-Talk

Though it is tiresome, be prepared to fight past the necessary small-talk to get at more interesting conversation.  Prepare a few questions like, “where are you from?”, “what classes are you taking?”, or “what do you want to major in?”  This will help open the door to more meaningful discussion and connection.

• Invite Others

Instead of pursuing activities alone, consider inviting others to join in.  If you are a runner, ask others to come jogging.  If you like to enjoy gaming, invite someone to play with you.  This is an excellent way to develop the familiarity that ultimately leads to friendship.

By being nice, open, and following these six simple tips, you will find your social calendar slowly filling up, while friendships slowly form.

Feel free to ask the team of academic writers at UnemployedProfessors.com any questions you may have regarding their online college writing services and they will be more than happy to guide you along the arduous path!

Marcelino Tromp