Popularity doesn’t really exist in college.
A “popular” person in college is still ignored by 97-99% of the students.
That would be quite hard at a big state school, and probably undesirable unless you want thousands of people talking about you. MUNs are so tiny–you can’t compare them to a giant university! If by popularity you mean you want friends, then yeah, just be amiable, initiate conversations with people, talk to people outside of class, do homework with people, etc etc.
"Popularity doesn’t really exist in college.
A “popular” person in college is still ignored by 97-99% of the students."
This. It’s pretty much impossible to be ‘popular’ in college because even at super small colleges, people form their own little communities and ignore things/people outside of them for the most part. I’d say many students know the name of our student government president, but I don’t think most could tell you his name. And that kid is by far the most popular student. So… it’s not really a thing.
I think the OP meant “popular” to mean “have friends”. Maybe not, but that seemed like where she was headed with her comments:
Yeah, by popular, I pretty much meant to have friends. (I do appreciate everyone’s insight though!)
Also…2.2K views?? Wow!
You’re popular! Mission accomplished 
First of all don’t use the word “popular”. That gives off a pretty negative connotation, don’t try to be popular. Just try to stay balanced with school work and friends. If you go to any college, you will learn to make friends. Most high school students don’t have a good group of friends because the kids are immature. Try and talk to your suitemates and just go out to dinner with them, go to events on campus and meet new people.
OP - My advice for you is to find a college where you really feel like you fit in. If there’s a special area you are interested in, find a school where that has some degree of prominence (offered as a major, or perhaps just a club that’s popular). I completely understand your situation. Although I went to a large high school, I felt like a fish out of water there and didn’t have many friends. I went away to a college that was on the nerdier side and found “my people” in my classes. I pledged a sorority (don’t knock it until you research it more) that was filled with nerdy girls who wanted more of a social life and found life long friends. I see the same going on with my daughter. She has a very small network of friends at school. Very few share her interests. She did a summer program with a small group of people (who shared a common interest) and quickly bonded with several of them and had a great time as they were “her people” and it gave her hope that she can find the same types of people in college.
@MotherofDragons, this is a little late, but I laughed out loud at your comment. :))
I was always the “fish out of water” in HS. I did great academically. Had a small circle of friends but often felt lonely.
College was wonderful. New large environment. Like-minded people (easier to find them). Kept my old friends but added SO many more. It just felt easier to “be me.” I relaxed finally. Hope the same for you!
I’ve thought about this often actually. What makes someone attract others to themselves?
My son was voted “easiest to talk to” as a HS superlative. I’ve learned a lot from him.
Lessons:
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Remain open (or get open) to new ideas. Listen more than you talk. You’ll never agree with everyone but listening to the other side without shutting them down is a practiced skill. (That’s something you learn in MUN.)
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Don’t be quick to judge. People come in all flavors and backgrounds. They’ll shut you out cold if you judge them. And maybe they have something you need to hear or learn.
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Don’t meet people with pre-conceived notions if you can help it. Translates more into "give the “benefit of the doubt” to new people you meet.
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Stay true to your own values and standards or you’ll never be happy and gain respect.
Opinions on topics can change ( two sides to every story) but values such as honesty and kindness do not.
The good news is that it’s actually pretty easy to be popular in the adult world, in the sense of knowing a lot of people, making friends easily, and having an active, fun social life.
It’s all about the “yes, and” principle. Don’t just join a club or organization – when you attend the first meeting and the leader talks about offices that need to be filled, or needing volunteers to do X, Y, or Z, get in there and put your name on that list. Obviously, you have to be mindful of how much time you’re committing, but most of those roles don’t require more than an hour or so per week, if that.
Taking on responsibilities is an excellent way to distinguish yourself from everyone else in a crowd. People like people who are helpful, friendly, and seem to know what’s going on. If you’ve got the first two down, the third is just assumed, and it makes confidence radiate from your very pores. By seizing those opportunities early on, you become memorable; people you have classes with will think, “oh, it’s that girl from ___ club!” the next time they see you, and that makes you incredibly approachable.
Most importantly, though, being in charge of something gives you a wonderful ice breaker. You have actual reasons to approach other members when you see them socially. It can be awkward trying to turn “so we both like ___” into a conversation, but it’s totally different when you have some official business to prompt discussion (are they coming to this thing? did they have thoughts about that? could they do this small task, and what time would be best?). If you hit it off, that simple interaction can become the basis of an actual friendship; if not, you can peace out quickly without that being awkward, either.
I was a total introvert before college, but this approach to meeting people and getting involved in things opened up a whole new part of my life. Not only is it fun, it helps you develop leadership qualities and social skills that will help you long after you graduate.
Why on earth would you want to be popular?
It takes a toll on your education.
And it would be pretty hard getting popular at a large university.
THE JOKING ANSWER:
Try doing something highly illegal on campus and run from the police. That should get you very popular. Your face would go mainstream!!
Look. I went to Clemson University once and saw a guy in a picture on a paper on a pole and it said “WANTED” at the top. I mean he sure is wanted… EVERYBODY WANTS TO HANG OUT WITH THAT GUY! HE’S SO POPULAR!! HE HAS HIS FACE ON A POLE AND EVERYBODY KNOWS HIM!
Just do some major car-jacking, armed robbery, and vandalism.
HAHA. i'm joking...... (But it actually kinda sounds like that's the way for everyone to know you.)
REAL ANSWER: It's not possible unless you do what I mentioned above.
I’m not sure why you would want to be popular, but if you want recognition you want win some awards and go to the ceremonies.
I am a freshman soccer player at a d1 school and I can honestly say to you that the only way to become popular is to be an athlete or to party so much that you are recognized throughout school as a huge partier. That being said, popularity is not important and I am concerned that you have not yet realized that. You can have one friend and no attention, but still be the man and really happy. You can also have tons of friends and have all the attention in the world, but still a loser because you lack moral fiber work ethic or you could flat out be unhappy. You should want to be happy in college, not popular.
I wasn’t popular either in highscool. College is a place where people become more independent and figure out who they are. I actually love to be alone, no one judges in college (if they do they do a better job at hiding it). Plus do you know how hard it is to be popular in a place where everyone is in a hurry to get out? Talk to people in your class because chances are they share the same interests and views as you do.
To become popular in college, you must be simple, and be yourself.
To become popular in college, you must excel in both academic and extra-curricular activities.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
@DrowsyLittleRed If that is not sarcasm I sincerely think you should not go to college wasting your parents’ assets.
To become popular in college, just be yourself and manage everything!