Que the fight or flight response.
Before starting my freshman year of college I was so nervous about how the first few weeks would go. Turns out the first few weeks of college are like entering the Twilight Zone. Everyone is trying to meet people and make friends. You will introduce yourself so many times it becomes automatic to ask someone what their name, dorm, and major and say yours. It almost becomes discouraging the amount of times you do the name, dorm, major thing with someone then walk away and forget that person even exists. Somehow I survived this strange time and here's how I did it.
Disclaimer: this post and the advice given in it are not meant to scare you but to encourage you.
Keep Yourself Busy
The transition into college can be stressful and overwhelming. As tempting as it may be: do not self isolate. The first few weeks of school is when everyone is putting themselves out there and trying to meet new people. While getting accustomed to being on your own will take a different amount of time for everyone, the general transition period will end as people begin to settle in. The transition may be a lot rougher if you do not put yourself out there by attending university events, joining clubs, and just introducing yourself to new people. Remember to keep yourself busy attending events and resist the urge to stay in your room.
Get to Know Your Roommate
Whether you become best friends or just glorified acquaintances, you’re going to be living together for the next nine-ish months. When going to a school where you don’t really know anyone this is your first connection and it’s nice to have someone to go to university events with. For me I found it easier to attend events and introduce myself to new people when I had a buddy to do it with. Also during this time you find out how y’all will work as roommates, what the dynamic will be, and what is important to each of you. This period sets the tone for how you will work as roommates, and this is the time when you figure out if you are going to need to switch roommates. Remember that it is ok to request a room change if you do not think you and your roommate are going to work out. Do not stay in an unforgettable situation.
Meet the Other People On Your Hall
This can be scary don’t get me wrong, but the girls across the hall ended up becoming my best friends. One of them wrote their phone number on my roommate and my door and from then on the four of us were inseparable. To meet other people on your hall I recommend knocking on their door and introducing yourself or just writing you name, number, and room number on their door (*your phone number* from Elsie (across the hall)). Don’t be discouraged if they are not into it or matching your energy. You put yourself out there and that's always a win. You never know the next time you do it you could meet your best friend so don’t give up.
Find Friends In Your Major
This is my secret to social and academic success. Making friends in my major is the best thing I've ever done. We have similar interests and get along well as friends, not just classmates. Since y’all are on the same track going for the same degree you can plan to take classes together and get advice on with professors to take or avoid. My major is very niche and pretty much everyone needs to go to grad school. There are certain classes you need for grad school that you don’t need to get a Bachelor's degree. So my friends and I can share research about grad programs and look out for each other. No matter the size of your major it is always nice to have a friend in a similar position as you taking the same classes.
Meet At Least One Person In Your (non major) Classes
Try to have at least one buddy, but knowing a few people is ideal. Y’all can form a study group and/or do homework together since Some assignments feel like legit rocket science and having multiple people to look through the lecture slides, notes, and textbook helps a bunch. If you miss class they can send you the notes and tell you what happened. In order to make friends in my classes I showed up about 5ish minutes before class started on the first day and just sat next to someone who looked nice. Now you are not only getting a study buddy but you are making friends. Even if you don’t stay close after the semester they can become a familiar face on campus which helps make campus feel more like home because you are seeing more and more people you know.
Remember that everyone is new and even though you might feel alone, you're not. You got this!
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