I am a transfer that recently entered Umich as a Junior. Sine entering the school, it feels like all the chances at building new friendships came and went before I even had a chance.
I went to the transfer student events and got phone numbers from other transfer students there, but nothing happened after that. As for people in class, I introduced myself to my seat-mates but it seems like they already had their friends to talk to so their introductions were brief and left no openings for future conversations.
Example:
Today at a lecture the professor had us work with classmates sitting to our right. I’m at the end of a row (seat-wise) on the left-handed side; therefore, I turned to the girl on my right. The girl next to me proceeded to inform me that she was NOT going to be working with me, but would be working with her friend that was to HER right. I had to work alone the entire class period.
How can I make friends? It was so easy at my other college so Umich seems relatively uninviting at this point.
Clubs, get involved in things you are interested in. Look up meet ups… Some are all students and some are mixed with the community. It’s not just Michigan. My daughter just transferred to another school as a junior also and is slowly making friends but yes people have their friends already. There might also be a registry or Facebook for transferred students to connect since most would be in the same boat.
Get involved in The Michigan Daily. Those students become really tight with each other. If you like to write, they’ll teach you how to be a reporter or opinion writer. If that’s not your cup of tea, there are other departments to work in. If you like design, you can do layouts. If you like business, you can sell ads. Check it out!
@LydiaEllie At my daughter’s school she joined some boathouse group and after some training she can take out and help teach with row boats and kayaking. This is totally not like her. She said the kids are really fun and friendly. The boat house is like a hang out place and can do homework on the water. She also joined a food co-op. Again…just because… She pays like $50.00 /semester and like a group of students take turn making dinner. Hers just happens to be mostly vegetarian, which is great for her. She said the students are great and it’s fun trying different recipes. She also tried out for a student improv group. Study groups also help you meet people. Last year she tried out a swing dancing group… She said it was a riot.
So there are tons of clubs /groups on campus. Find something that peaks your interest or just do one just because…