Finding Your College Friends

With only a few weeks left until your first day of college, you may feel like you've heard everything anyone has ever said, thought, or felt about the next four years of your life. You've told family and friends about your college of choice, what you may want to major in, everything you've managed to pack in your trunk, and your roommate/suitemates’ names. However, the one aspect that often gets left out of these conversations is the social part of college—making friends. While your relationships naturally changed and evolved from pre-school to senior year, this may be the first time (in a while) that many of you will make new friends again. And while this may seem harder than figuring out college classes or where the library is, we have some things to keep in mind as you find your new group, and yourself.

Photo credit: www.thecollegehelper.com

• Check your hometown: Even if you live far away from your college, chances are there could be someone nearby who’s also attending. Check your school’s website or Facebook for meet-ups in your area. You’ll get an opportunity to meet your future classmates and have a friendly face or two when you arrive on campus. If there aren't any meet-ups nearby, organize one yourself! Pick a familiar restaurant or park where everyone feels comfortable and can get the chance to know one another
•  Email those roommates!: Get to know them before you arrive and learn about their interests. You may not be the best of friends by the end of the year, but you’ll never know unless you try!
• Participate!: Those pre-orientation activities may seem lame, but they’re a great way to meet people. Sign up to take the city tour or join a volunteer activity; you may find someone that has similar interests. And if not, at least you’ll have people to chat with in between classes for the first few months.
• Get involved: Leave your room and sign up for an intramural sport or campus organization. Look for something you already love or are interested in learning about. Chances are, the people in these groups will also have other interests you share and you’ll click instantly.
• Be patient: It’s perfectly okay (and even normal) to not have your best friend by the end of orientation week. Some people will be best friends with their freshman roommates all four years, and others will have different friends over the course of their college careers. Know that you’ll find your people if you keep putting yourself out there and do what you love.
• Be yourself: This is our most important tip. Let your brilliant personality shine through! People will be drawn to it, and you’ll meet the friends you’ll truly connect with. College is a time to discover yourself—learn about what you like and don’t like, and be comfortable in that. People will notice if your behavior seems unnatural for you. Embrace yourself for who you are, and others will too. 

Let's Get Along

When entering college, you’re excited about all the new opportunities and experiences it may bring. You will no longer be in the private room at your parent’s house; now you’re sharing a small space with a stranger for a year or more. Before receiving that piece of paper in the mail with your roommate’s name and address, you may have tons of questions. Is she shy? Do we share the same interest? And the biggest one of all: will we get along? ToGetHerThere has some tips to help a year living with a stranger run smoothly.

Photo Credit: http://education.seattlepi.com

Calls: When given your new roommate’s information, write a letter or give her a call to chat about the upcoming year. Find out her interests, what her major is, and get to know each other before move in day. This is also a great time to go over color schemes if you want to match your comforters. It’s okay to find your new roommate on social media, but do not judge before actually talking to them; Facebook and Twitter can be misleading.

Problem Solving: Do not wait to address any problems with your roommate. Handle the problem as soon as it arises, but when the time is right. Have weekly conversations/meetings with her to ensure you’re always on the same page. These meetings will help things run smoothly when it comes to problems within the room, and they will also help to set room rules so you both can respect each other’s space.

BFF’s: You do not have to become best friends with your roommate; as long as the two of you respect each other’s living space, things will run smoothly. A lot of incoming freshman believe that you must be BFF's—if you do, that's great, but it’s pretty common that your roommate will be just that—your roommate. 

Rules: Within the first few conversations with your roommate should be a conversation about "house rules." This will be very helpful in the long run—less questions and concerns when it comes to cleaning, having company, playing music, or overnight company. Each dorm has a Resident Assistant (commonly called the “RA”) that will meet you and share the dorm building rules; these may be a great start for room rules also. 

Remember: communication is key! Keep an open line of communication with your new “roomie” and the year will fly by with amazing experiences every step of the way. Enjoy being a freshman and your college years—don’t stress about something you can easily resolve with a friendly chat!