Advice on making friends?

<p>I just go to class and we kind of just sit there and don't talk. I have 2 hours in between a class but I don't know where to go to make friends. Everyone is just busy doing their work. I also don't knot how to introduce myself, but I might just wing it. Haha. Does anyone have some legit advice to give? There's also a girl I like in my math class. I think she likes me because she looked at me a few times and stood close to me before class. Really close. I thought she was going to say something to me. I really hoped she would. She sits in the other side of class and I don't quite know how to meet her or anyone else to be honest. I need to get more social and make friends.</p>

<p>I’m having the same problem. It sucks. So far I only made 2 friends. Not including my roommate. I have never been good at being super social, so I have a hard time introducing myself as well. I’d say go to social events. That’s how I met 1 of my friends. I’m not a party person, but if you go to parties chances are you’ll meet people from other schools nearby. That’s how I met 2 of the guys I’m casually seeing haha. It really helps to talk to people who sit next to you in class. Even if it’s just asking what last weeks homework was. If you’re shy like me it won’t be so easy. But you just have to push yourself sometimes. If you have a roommate I highly suggest hanging out with them once in a while. It helps even if it’s just bonding over a sport or video game haha.</p>

<p>joshuab, why did you hope she was going to say something to you, but you didn’t speak to her? C’mon… next time sit by her in class if you can, or stand by her and talk to her. Say something about the homework, or some big event on campus, or about the professor, or something…</p>

<p>Have you guys joined any clubs or organizations on campus? There is always a lot of stuff going on – theater groups, student newspaper, environmental or outing clubs, book clubs, ballroom or swing dance, intramural sports (my kid just told me she joined archery club!), or volunteer groups. Your school website may have a list under something like Student Life or Campus Life. It is okay to join mid-year, too. That is a good way to make friends.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice. It’s hard for me because I have anxiety and depression. I told myself that if she stands close to me again like that I’m going to say something to her. However, it’s always harder to actually do unfortunately. I feel like I need something good going on in my life to make me more upbeat and social. The only problem is I need friends or a girlfriend for that. So it’s like I need friends to make friends, but I don’t have friends. I’m hoping something will work out and that I can stay motivated and positive enough to do something about this. I kind of don’t know what to say and stay silent. If I could feel the same way at school as I do at home I’d be perfectly fine.</p>

<p>Clubs are a huge help on stuff like this. You meet so many people and are bound to make friends with some of them, and the best thing about it is that you’re not obligated to keep going if it turns out it’s not right for you. A good starting point is joining a club for people in your major. That way you at least know people you can talk to about classes and such. Other than that, if it sounds interesting go and check it out.</p>

<p>No one talks at my school really. In between classes everyone just stares at their phones. I try talking to everyone, push myself everyday but there’s no connection really. Also tried clubs, involvement fairs, events, but I don’t see any way to go from club acquaintance to actual friend. For many events, you do need to have friends in order to be having a good time. It’s terrible.</p>

<p>At this point I’ve even tried reaching out to old friends, that didn’t work either. Very isolated.</p>

<p>For the acquaintances, ask them them if they want to do something with you. While talking with one of them, say, “What are you doing this weekend?” If they say they’re doing nothing, ask if they want to go to the movies, or to the park or something. If it’s the same sex try getting another to go along to avoid 2 of the same sex awkwardness. That should work. You have to meet outside of school. I’m going to try this when I meet some cool acquaintances. Also, be confident.</p>

<p>For clubs, try to sign up for helping out with time consuming activities – volunteer days, coordinating a big club event, etc. That will bring you into contact for a longer period of time with a few people. Then maybe you can springboard on that to going afterwards for dinner or getting coffee or doing something on campus you are all talking about as you work on the activity.</p>

<p>If all else fails… bake or cook something that smells good in your dorm kitchen if there is one during the evenings. People will come for that. :)</p>

<p>Another thing on clubs, though this is dependent on club structure, is to join some “branches”/committees of the club that interest you. For me, the computer science club has a branch/committee/subgroup for those interested in any aspect of game development, and I joined that. This probably won’t be the case in a smaller club, but especially if you join a bigger club check if they have stuff like that.</p>

<p>Otherwise, as intparent says make sure you sign up for some events the club is running. Spending many hours with the same people in a situation where you have to cooperate certainly lets you get to know each other.</p>