How do I get a core group of friends at College?

<p>I'm in my sophomore year and I feel I don't have very many friends I can rely on. I would really like a core group of friends, but I don't know how to get one. I had some friends last year but they'd never invite me places and act like they don't care. Overall for the majority of freshman year I felt really depressed. I tried to join a bunch of clubs and activities to meet people, but I could never break into a crowd.</p>

<p>I feel like I'm an extrovert and I make friends, but they don't seem to want to bring me into their group of friends. I'm at this point where I feel like everyone already has their group of friends and doesn't want any more (I go to a really small college). I like everything: theater, sports, art, parties, design, fashion, movies. I'm a really caring person and I love listening to people's problems and being there for them, like I always tell people they're welcome to join me for dinner/go to my house for a weekend because I live close to campus. And even when I can talk to people about any of that, they're still not interested. I just feel myself running out of options. I really want at least 3 friends I can rely on for dinners and maybe fun outings but everyone acts like they don't want me to come along. Any suggestions?</p>

<p>Maybe try and figure out what it could be that is turning others away from you in that way, if there is a problem. For me, (I’m a freshman) I don’t think I exactly have a core group yet, but I primarily hang out with my roommates and the other guys and girls on in my hall so interact with them more, if you’re living in a dorm. </p>

<p>Or you could consider joining a frat/sorority.</p>

<p>Harsh truth from my own experience: More often than not it’s extremely hard to “get” a core group of friends. It’s gotta just happen naturally. More than likely it’s the people you are living with/close to. At least it’s easier that way.</p>

<p>OP, for a second I thought I wrote your post myself because I am going through the same exact thing. I am a sophomore as well, and I have several friends, but not a group that I can fall back on for support. It also doesn’t help that I am living in a single this year. At first I thought it was because it was something wrong with me, but then I observed that so many other people are in the same situation. I think that as we get older, it just somehow becomes harder to find a core group. I know that I didn’t really offer any advice but I hope it makes you feel better that I am also in your shoes and yeah… it sucks.</p>

<p>i’m in the same situation you are, but i’m a transfer junior. i’ve met people like in clubs, organizations and people in my hall but i’ve yet to form a core group of friends. i find it perplexing how people form core groups though because i’ve been trying but have only made acquaintances thus far. and my roommate who moved in earlier than me has already seemed to made a core group with some girls in our hall, and can tell already we are not going to become good friends. i’m going to try and give it a bit more time though. what school do you go to?</p>

<p>Making friends is the last thing in my mind. I just want to graduate out of this CC with a strong GPA and transfer in to one of my two target schools. I have enough friends here in my neighborhood.</p>

<p>I would say I have a couple of contacts, but just classmates, nothing more than that. Then I have a couple of other people who i’m just getting to talk to, it’s still the first month. It’s a commuter school so it’s much harder I guess? But I don’t seem to have a problem quickly getting acquaintances in the first month. I guess it’s because I start conversations with my classmates who are quiet, then that leads them to open up. I don’t know, i’m no extrovert, I could be shy sometimes. I participate a lot in class, but not like an annoying nerd who knows everything.</p>

<p>I agree with nervusbreakdown, don’t try to get friends. Just let it happen naturally. The best people you’re gonna meet is those who come to you, who look for you, the one’s who offer you company. I’m not ruling out completely stopping to approach people, just saying take it easy.</p>

<p>I’m not a psychology major or anything, but I don’t think the lack of a core group of friends signals anything to be concerned about. Sure, in a lot of TV shows the main characters seem to have a core group, but how often does that happen otherwise?</p>

<p>It’s nice to get good friendships though!</p>

<p>… please don’t expect your life to be like tv shows…</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Saved By The Bell: The College Years</p>

<p>lol, I was pondering if the idea of a core group came from their watching tv.</p>

<p>Basically every sitcom revolves a core group of friends…</p>