Freshman year of college can be a daunting time for many. For some, it’s the first time away from home. Crowded dormitories can be the best of times and the worst depending on your ability to make friends. Follow these tips to help establish strong social connections and make the most of this big year.
Be Authentic:
I can’t stress enough how important it is to be your true, authentic self when trying to meet new people and build a community. Many people fear judgement when meeting countless new people Freshman year. However, being true to yourself will ensure that you find positive, like-minded friends.
Put Yourself Out There:
At a big school like UW-Madison, it’s on you to navigate the social scene and build your own community. This might mean introducing yourself to a professor to establish educational connections, or even signing up for an intramural sports league to meet peers with a common interest. You have to realize that there are thousands of other students also looking to make connections, so it’s on you to go find them.
Don’t Get Discouraged:
Many people don’t find their college friends right away and that’s completely fine. Maybe, like me, you have been friends with your high school friends for so long that you don’t even remember how to make friends. With that said, I promise that if you are authentic and putting yourself out there, with a little bit of persistence you’ll find a great group of friends.