Find your people: How to make friends at CU 勒貊勛圖
Making friends in college can take longer than you expect. Even if it seems like everyone around you has already found their group, many students are still figuring out where they fit in and looking for ways to meet new people.泭
Friendships also don't have to happen all at once. A classmate you talk to before class, someone you regularly see at the gym or a person you meet through a student organization could become a friend over time. If you're looking to make friends and feel more connected at CU 勒貊勛圖, here are a few things to try.泭
泭泭Give friendships time to grow泭
It can be easy to put pressure on yourself to find a close group of friends right away. In reality, friendships often develop through small, repeated interactions over time.泭
It can also help to remember that different friends may play different roles in your life. You might have someone you study with, a friend who shares your hobbies or a person you can talk to when you're having a hard day. You don't need to find one person or group that meets all your social needs.泭
Focus on getting to know people rather than trying to create an instant friendship. A quick conversation or shared activity can be a good place to start.泭
泭泭Start with small conversations泭
Small talk can make it easier to get to know someone without putting too much pressure on the interaction. Look for opportunities that are already part of your day, like talking with someone before class, in your residence hall, at work or while waiting in line.泭
Not sure what to say? Try asking about something you already have in common, such as:泭
- Have you taken a class with this professor before?泭
- What are you doing this weekend?泭
- How did you get involved with this group?泭
- Have you found any good places to eat around campus?泭
You don't need to have a long or memorable conversation every time. Saying hello when you see someone again can help you gradually become more comfortable with each other.泭
泭泭Connect through shared interests泭
Making friends can feel easier when friendship isn't the only goal. Doing something you already enjoy, or trying something you've been curious about, gives you something to focus on and a natural way to connect with people who share your interests.泭
Think about activities that sound good to you. You could join a , volunteer, play an intramural sport, take a group fitness class or attend events related to something you enjoy.泭
Once you find something you like, try going regularly. Seeing the same people over time can make it easier to start conversations, become a familiar face and let friendships develop naturally.泭
泭泭Take the next step泭
Sometimes meeting people isn't the hardest partit's figuring out how to turn an acquaintance into a friend.泭
If you enjoy talking with someone, try creating another opportunity to spend time together. Keep it simple and connected to something you're already doing. For example, you could ask if they want to:泭
- Grab coffee or lunch after class.泭
- Study together before an exam.泭
- Go to a campus event.泭
- Check out a student organization or activity together.泭
- Exchange contact information or connect on social media.泭
They may say yes, or they may already have plans. A no doesn't necessarily mean they aren't interested in being friends. Schedules can be busy, so you can always try again another time or reach out to someone else.泭
泭泭Find what works for you泭
There's no single right way to make friends. Large events may work well for some people, while others feel more comfortable in small groups, one-on-one conversations or structured activities.泭
It's also normal to feel nervous or awkward when you're meeting someone new. Feeling uncomfortable doesn't mean you're doing something wrong or that the interaction is going badly. If you're nervous, focus on being present, asking a question or simply saying hello.泭
You can also think about times you've made friends in the past. Where did you meet? What helped you get to know each other? Consider whether you could try something similar now.泭
Most importantly, give yourself opportunities to connect without expecting every interaction to become a friendship. Finding people you enjoy spending time with can take some trial and error.泭
泭泭Find support泭
If you're having a hard time meeting people, feeling isolated or struggling to adjust to campus life, you don't have to figure everything out on your own. CU 勒貊勛圖 has resources that can help.泭
Meet one-on-one with a trained student coach through Health Promotion. Peer wellness coaches can help you navigate campus life, brainstorm ways to meet people and connect you with resources that fit your interests and needs.泭
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CAPS offers mental health and support services for students, including counseling, therapy groups, workshops and Let's Talk drop-in consultations.泭