<p>I'm an international freshman in my first quarter at UCLA. I have friends, but I find myself having trouble clicking with my floor. Like I don't really have much in common with them and I find myself increasingly avoiding hanging out in the lounge and I'm ending up stayin in my room a lot when I'm here :s Also, I have many intl friends but not as many American friends, again I feel like I don't have enough in common with them, like when they start discussing basketball or football I'm clueless and feel pretty left out. How should I go about fixing this? I feel like I don't have many close friends, I have like 3, but they aren't close to each other hahaha so it's not exactly a group, any recommendations about how I can improve my college social life? I see so many statuses of other freshman saying they're having the time of their lives and all, but I'm just not feeling that happy yet :( Also I'm pretty shy so now when ppl on my floor are hanging out I find it hard to just approach them and hang out, I usually just say Hey What's up as I pass by and that's all, help me please and I know this is pathetic but I need to let this out somehow so sorry</p>
<p>Have you joined any clubs? I don’t have many close friends either, but every time I go to my art club (once a week) I find myself growing closer to these people and chatting more and more. You can just hang out the first time you go to a meeting, get a feel for the people, and slowly involve yourself more and more. Take a look at what clubs are offered at your university and pick something that you’re interested in. </p>
<p>Also, not all Americans are into football and baseball. I have no interest in football and just know some baseball; soccer is my favorite sport (sadly, many people here are not so interested in soccer). People talk about TV shows, movies, their classes, places they plan to go to for the weekend, etc. Try to see what people are talking about and whether you know something about the topic. Even a, “Oh, I haven’t been there. Is it nice?” can lead to a conversation. Also, if they are talking about sports, perhaps you can do some research on it so you can contribute something for next time? Who knows, you might even like it football and/or baseball if you watch a game or two.</p>
<p>I used to pass people in my lounge without saying anything at all. One way I got closer to the people in my lounge was I began to study and do my work there, and we would end up talking. If you see someone working on a project, you could ask about it or comment about it. If someone’s in the lounge then, for the most part, you can assume that they don’t mind people approaching them. If they /did/ mind then they would have just stayed in their rooms, right?</p>
<p>Are there any residence hall activities they put on? You can go and attend them and get to know the people on your floor.</p>
<p>Good luck! I know how hard it is to make friends, but it gets easier once you make an effort to talk more to the people you see every day.</p>
<p>Thanks man, I’m actually in the tennis club and cricket club in my school, I’ve made quite a few friends there but like we don’t tend to hang out outside of practice you know? There aren’t any res activities yet sadly, but thanks a lot for the lounge advice!</p>
<p>You might ask your floormates if you can go with them to a football or basketball game, and get them to explain what is going on if you don’t know. Sorry there are no res activities, that is a good way to meet people. Can you suggest an outing for coffee or something after one of your club meetings to some of the people you have met there?</p>
<p>Also… it is great that you have some international friends, make some plans to get together with them. They probably also do not have too many friends yet.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how helpful this will be, but I find that classes are the best way to meet people. It’s always a little weird at the beginning, but if you initiate conversations, then people will likely be more attracted to your outgoing personality. I tend to meet lots of my friends through my classes. Sometimes, however, I wont meet a friend until the end of the semester. Then again, I’m not too familiar with the pace of the quarter system, but I’m sure it’s a lot quicker than semester. The other users have suggested joining clubs/organizations, which I think are good ways too. I met a TON of friends through my university newspaper organization. Don’t worry about it if you don’t meet tons of people your freshmen year. It’s never too late.</p>
<p>Thanks guys 
I’ve met ppl at classes and all but my problem is more that I haven’t been able to develop many of them into actual friendships haha, thanks so much for all your help, all of your advice is really helpful!</p>