<p>Is it crucual? I wasn't able to make many friends...</p>
<p>The first two weeks of school will be key. Everyone will be very open to meeting people and making friends. (“Friend” your new acquaintances on facebook so you can keep track of them.)</p>
<p>You’re not the only one! I hardly made friends during orientation either. It seemed as though everybody already had a friend that they were there with and nobody was really looking to meet people…I was a bit disappointed, to be honest.</p>
<p>I made no friends and literally spoke to almost no one the whole time I was there. However, a couple of months into the school year I started kind of making some friends.</p>
<p>I made a lot of friends during orientation, but those weren’t the same friends that I hung out with during the school year. I still stay in contact with them via Facebook, but they weren’t the “best fit” for me… I guess I just found better friends in my classes and major.</p>
<p>My son is up there now at orientation. He did not go with any friends but has made a few friends already and seems to be having a great time. But, the main point is to get great advice and register for classes. So, don’t sweat not making friends over the 2 1/2 days of orientation. Hope you all get the classes and schedules that suit you best. Hook 'em.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m bringing any friends and am honestly not even thinking I’m going to make friends to be honest. I just want to register, attend the mandatory meetings and get outta there, lol.</p>
<p>i talked to a ton of ppl during orientation looking for potential friend candidates but in the end i just got a bunch of acquaintances that I now have to nod to and make small talk with if i see them on campus</p>
<p>… it sucks</p>
<p>The best way to make friends (besides simply being open and sociable) is through student organizations and extracurriculars, as well as study/discussion groups within your classes. I have noticed at UT that everyone there has this attitude towards trying really hard to “be cool” and not look interested or anything because they see everyone else acting this way. This seems like it could be a big roadblock to making new friends and I think you might have to remind yourself once in a while that most of these people around you are probably just as normal as you and not nearly as cool and collected as they look on the outside.</p>
<p>My son was just there for orientation. He attended all the wing meetings and went to all the shows with his wing. Hardly anyone from his HS went to this orientation session, but he was to able to meet someone new, sign up for clubs and even found a roommate. So go to all the college, dept, wing meetings and the nightly shows and have fun!</p>