<p>I'm not too happy with my experience at the university until now.</p>
<p>I live in Markley, but my hall isn't very social so I have no friends in my hall. The few people I know are not the type of people I like to hang out with.</p>
<p>I attempted to join fraternities, but I didn't get in them, so going out often is very difficult. Overall, I don't have many friends and I feel lonely at the university.</p>
<p>Should I transfer? I don't want to transfer, but I don't want to not enjoy college either. How do I improve my university experience?</p>
<p>If you're wondering, I'm not really weird or anything, I used to be popular in high school and everywhere before I came to college.</p>
<p>Please help!</p>
<p>Hi there, </p>
<p>I am also a U of M student and I see where you’re coming from. Making friends in dorms seems to be really hit or miss; sometimes people living in halls together become really close, and sometimes they never talk. I am lucky enough to have a really nice hall, but I have a friend who lives in Northwood who feels really isolated because she isn’t really friends with her roommates/neighbors. I’ve noticed that it’s really hard to make friends at first when you don’t click with the people you live with. </p>
<p>But what kinds of things are you interested in? Have you joined any clubs? This may not be your thing, but I know some people that made a lot of their friends through the anime club and the Pokemon club. I wasn’t super involved last semester and I regret that, so I’m trying to join more clubs too.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Would it be possible to switch your dorm?</p>
<p>@MidwestGirl7,</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply, helps me to know that I’m not alone.</p>
<p>I am involved in two clubs, but they’re very small and meet very infrequently. They aren’t really the best places to meet people tbh.</p>
<p>@siliconvalleymom,</p>
<p>I would have to go to a worse dorm, which will probably be less social. It will also mean that I have to commute more often cause I’ll probably be on North Campus.</p>
<p>I think it can be difficult for some students to transition to such a large school because just like a buffet, there’s almost so much stuff going on that its hard to focus in and find your niche.
My son has since graduated, and looking back, would not trade his experience or the friends he made for the world. But there were ways he made the school “smaller” to achieve this, I think. You kind of have to take the initiative to insinuate yourself in the places where there might be people who enjoy your interests.</p>
<p>Examples – volunteering …he worked at the Gargoyle throughout and met some great people…he volunteered to help with several student theatrical productions (and through this, met his then-future girlfriend), in his first year, he was in the Alice Lloyd program so had events and writing, etc. to be involved in for that.</p>
<p>Another thing I think made a difference was that he would each term try to take one course that was purely “interest” and not necessarily related to his degree, the zanier the better 
Eg small humanities-style classes in topics of interest such as comics.</p>
<p>If you could tell us about the kinds of hobbies you enjoy, we might be able to give you some concrete ideas of how to better connect.</p>
<p>It’s also a very deep winter for Michigan, and its easy to get depressed and stay indoors. Keep yourself happy with good nutrition and a bit of lifestyle balance so you’re in the mood to seize social opportunities Even going out to something like the midnight broomball casual tournies or going to the gym can help.</p>
<p>Best wishes!</p>
<p>Yes, it does get better. Hang in there! </p>
<p>Sometimes it takes more of an effort. It won’t get better if you expect it to come to you. Keep trying. </p>
<p>Best way to meet people is according to your interests. That means clubs, activities. You can even start your own. Parties are not usually the way. People tend to say hello when they see you a few times. </p>