How do you make friends at university?

[Anonymous]

Honestly, it seems extremely difficult to me, especially when there are hundreds of people attending each lecture, compared to smaller college classes or high school... This environment is so impersonal and you don't get to see the same people for a second time, interact and become acquainted with them

The semester is almost over and I feel very sad that I still don't know anyone

[WindAtMyBack]

When I first went to college I met all of my early friends in the dorm. After a while I met friends of theirs. I also met some people playing informal sports. I did meet a few people in class, but none of them became friends.

I always hated those big lecture halls. I never had a class in the biggest ones that sat a few hundred people, but I had some classes in the 70-100 people size. Those were all low level classes with high enrollment. Even with low level classes, most were in smaller classrooms. Once I got past the first year classes I never once had a class in a big lecture hall.

I went to six colleges off and on for 20 years. I only lived in a dorm the first year (it was mandatory for freshmen). Later, I met some very good friends in class. I'd just start talking to people. You have an automatic ice breaker. You can talk about the class, the teacher, your major, the book or anything else related to the college.

With lab classes, you usually partner with someone. It's also a casual atmosphere and easy to talk to others in the lab.

You can take classes that have more participation by the students. PE classes are great for this. You can take classes in a variety of sports, dance etc. Music and art classes are also good for working with people on a more personal basis. Some classes have field projects. People loosen up in the outdoors. You might have a full load of classes already, but a PE class doesn't add homework and can be a stress reliever.

I highly recommend study groups for both social and academic reasons. Try to find a group that actually studies. It's good for you academically, but groups that don't actually study usually break up pretty quickly. Start a group yourself if nobody else does.

Of course there are sports, clubs, etc. There are clubs for just about anything in college. If you have time, you might also get a student job. Jobs are always a great way to meet people.

There are a couple of things I regret in college. Both of which are good ways to meet people. I regret not doing some of the common summer jobs that students do, like fighting forest fires or working at a national park for the summer. I also regret not accepting an invitation to study abroad.

So are you ending your first semester? If so it will probably get better once you have smaller classes and feel more comfortable on campus.

[Looksnicholas]

Lol I for one technically went to university, for like a year, it was actually more like a technical college, whatever they call them in your part of the world I'm not sure I'm lazy to look up, but anyways. I only ever made one actual fellow guy friend who I've remained in contact with off and on ever since, both just two ordinary straight guys.

My whole year there, I just was friendly with everyone like polite, but I realised especially after I finished there, that hardly any wanted to stay in touch, and the one guy who did, was that guy, so I guess it goes to show it's not how many friends, but even how many will actually be, or even are or were, a friend.

Ah well. Maybe I'm just a guy who's like a dog breed I am who only gets attached to one or two friends or whatever, like a loyal breed loyal owner, and everyone else is just either treats givers or I don't really play fetch lol. I'm not sure where I was going with this babbling answer, but long story short, I just only made 1 actual friend for a while 12 months at 'university'

[Looksnicholas]

Anyways 😋😋😋 just me talking about me, not advice of any type ☮️✌🏻

[Looksnicholas]

But from high school days even, all my only group of close friends actual friends, are about 5 or 6 friends, all guys, and we're all still single and straight, including the university guy from my university year, like trade certificate or technical college whatever they call it in different countries, not a degree, but not high school either. 😁

[Looksnicholas]

Instead of "for a while" I should have typed typo "for a whole"

[jennifer_bloom]

I find making friends is easier if you let them come to you. If you're outspoken - people who like outspoken people will like you. If you're charming, people who like charming people will talk to you. If you are kind - people who like kind people will talk to you. The trick to making friends is being shrewd and charming and opinionated - that gets attention.

[ArrowheadSW]

I think I met most people by living in a dorm for a year, and eating in the dining hall. I am still in touch with some of them, all this time later.

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

Considering you are living in hostels, you just need to find some work or something to do and ask other people for help. That is a great way to make friends. Talk with random people and find things that are common.

Find a reason to talk with people. That is the best.

When in class, establish a contact with the students around you.

Mind you, some girls/guys will definitely reject you. But there will be some who will definitely accept you. Be prepared for both. This is very important.

Be chilled. Be relaxed. Be comfortable when you are alone. Because you do not want to look desperate to other people. You may get made fun of.

[Smoothing]

The best way to make friends is to join societies that are if interests to you. You will get to make friends that way.

It is difficult to make friends from meeting people at lectures.

I made friends through societies and also my tutor group. But nit all courses have the tuition system. So societies are the best.

A lot of the friends at university never did the same course as I did. The ones that did the same course as me, either were in the same tutor as I or were part of the same societies I went to.

University is pretty much an introduction to the real world to most people. In the real world, making friends becomes harder than when you were at school.

[Summeroflove]

Friendships come naturally and if you’re forcing it irs better not to be

[Asker]

yes but you don't even have the opportunity to meet people, this way

[Summeroflove]

Right. But I mean if friendships don’t naturally develop I don’t force it

[Summeroflove]

Frankly I don’t care about making friends anymore. People disappoint and stab you in the back and end up being one person one day and changing and you don’t even know who they are anymore and they’re not good people anymore.

So fuck it

[Asker]

But no one can survive alone.. Having someone to talk to is nice and can make you feel better, or lift your spirit

[Summeroflove]

You're right about that. But some people are different

[ManHater]

You don't lol. People move on to do bigger and better things. in my opinion I never went to university I just have a high school education. You don't need a debt of schooling to make 6 figures.

[BJP21]

Most have social clubs and events.