Did you arrive on campus in hopes of starting a new chapter in life? Figuring out who you are as an individual begins for most people as a first-semester freshman in college. Many will feel uncomfortable to get themselves out there because they don’t have an idea of what to do or even expect. If you don’t try to reach out to other classmates and organizations, you might miss out on some pretty great experiences.
Here are some ways to avoid feeling out of place at the school you attend.
Do’s
Ask Questions
It’s best to get out of your comfort zone sooner than later because in the long run, staying quiet will lead to regret. Hometown friends and your roommate start as a good foundation the first week or so, but asking simple questions to people at the basketball court or someone in your hall benefits much more by getting yourself out there. Allow yourself to open to strangers by being yourself. This will make the early interactions you have with people much easier. Asking a hall mate where they’re from could spark a friendship, or seeing someone wear a sports jersey of your liking could one day be your friend who watches every single football game with you.
Networking In Person
Social media acts as a beautiful thing when arriving on campus. Let’s say you arrive on campus and you choose not to walk up to those who may have messaged you or vice versa. You should get used to being uncomfortable when meeting people because it won’t be all bread and butter.
“Through social media, I was able to branch out a bit more from just the people I knew from high school going into college. I have also enjoyed getting around on campus such as intramural sports that I get to spend time with people with common interests. I am always looking to meet people and Penn State has everything accessible for me to do so,” Pennsylvania State freshman Andy Chen said.
If you keep forcing yourself to meet new people on campus, you will eventually find your college crew. It doesn’t have to be your hallmates or your classmates, it can even be sitting down next to someone alone at the dining hall. An interaction as simple as those will most likely be the kick starter to an unexpected friendship.
Get Involved on Campus
Yes, you’ve probably heard this many times from either family or upperclassmen you may know, but you can’t deny the truth. Joining groups on campus, playing intramural sports and many other group activities work as some of the easiest ways to make friends. If you aren’t the extrovert that everyone knows and loves, chances are, you won’t immediately sink in with a crowd. Don’t be the person who sits in the dorm scrolling through snapchat stories seeing others enjoy their time on campus.
“Overall, I’ve been able to find small involvement in certain groups and campus organizations that have made my Penn State experience very worthwhile. I gotten involved to meet new people and build connections that have made me more comfortable on campus. I can say that I have friends who share the same interests and goals as me, as well as friends who I can trust,” Pennsylvania State freshman Aaron Falk said.
Sign up for that organization, introduce yourself to your classmates and, heck, maybe get involved with Greek life. For me personally, getting involved with clubs and organizations on campus allowed me to make some good friends in just my first few months in college. Club tennis, organizations within my College of Communications and student groups around campus made me much more comfortable adjusting to life on campus.
Experience the “Must-Do’s” on Campus
Whatever your school advertises the most, you will want to check out whatever that may be. It may be a sporting event or a concert that everyone will want to go too. These will make great places to bond with fellow classmates and truly embrace what your campus has to offer. At Penn State, downtown State College is something every student needs to experience.
“As far as a must-do things here, football has been my favorite. As a big sports fan, I love not just the atmosphere at the games but what goes on during the game, too. I am already impatiently waiting for next season and the three more I have to look forward to as a student,” Pennsylvania State freshman Nolan Wick said.
By taking a night to walk around with friends and get a nice dinner, you will get to see what every upperclassman loves about living downtown. Take advantage of whatever your school offers before you graduate because you want to make your college experience the best it can be.
Volunteering
An easy way to get out of your comfort zone: start volunteering. Working with others to help those in need will give others the chance to see the kindness in your own personality. After you finish volunteering, ask the other volunteers to hang out or grab a bite to eat to get to know each other. Creating these bonds from group experiences will almost guarantee some lifelong friends or at least people who always got your back.
Don’ts
Rationalizing
To simply put it, do not be the person to make made-up excuses. Telling someone a lie hurts them in a way and it also hurts yourself in a different way. Don’t be afraid just because a new lifestyle was thrown at you, because that’s life! Begin your college “book” on a high note rather than a low one. Don’t lie because it will create bad habits, and no one wants to hang out with a liar.
Be a Perfectionist
Stepping on campus for the first time gives yourself the “beginner” tag. Trying something out on campus and failing does not mean you become a quitter. If you aren’t the talk around campus because of your party antics or a star player on a sports team, please don’t stress it. Whatever you feel interests you, keep working at it and you will find that the dreadfulness of whatever it may be to not be so difficult after all. If you think you need to get a 4.0 GPA and lead a club or two to succeed in college, you’re wrong. Everyone has their own ways and values of success. Only you decide what you will, and will not, do.
Selfishness
Maintain the relationship that you make with the people you first meet. When you have a friend you trust by your side, it makes almost everything less stressful. When you make others feel important, that same energy will radiate back to you. When you go to an event or check out an organization, try to put others first because you will become noticed. Become marketable so people feel comfortable around you in public settings.
Be Quiet in Class
A great and easy way to build connections: the classroom. Whether it’s a fellow student, a teacher assistant or a professor, they can all be helpful in different ways. A follow classmate can become a great friend as well as a study partner. Introduce yourself to whoever is sitting next to you in the lecture. Having someone you can count on in class if you are struggling with homework or classwork benefits both of y’all. Another good connection to have is one with your teachers. Getting them to help you out one-on-one will better your chances of doing better in the class and also a good recommendation for the future.
Sit In Your Dorm
The fear of making new friends and having to consistently introduce yourself sounds haunting, but it truly isn’t. Eventually in your first semester, you will realize that not getting out of your comfort zone will end up hurting your chances to meet new people. Spending time in your dorm before bed is one thing, but skipping out on activities put on by your school or neglecting making dinner plans with people is another. Don’t be the person to not force yourself to make friends because sooner rather than later, you’re going to wish you met the people floating in the same boat as you.
