<p>Hi, I'm probably going to go to Uconn Storrs next year if I get in. So far from all the posts I've seen it's a really big school and that means it's harder to make friends without joining a club / sport (I thought it'd be other way around, but makes sense).</p>
<p>Is it really that difficult to make friends? I guess I'm a laid back guy, I don't really do sports and I'd probably just join an anime club if there was one. I mean I have a lot of different friends in high school, but that's because I've been able to know the people for a very long time so it's easier to make new friends. Will it be different in college? I'm afraid I'll end up sitting in my room all day every day, the way people play college out to be if you don't like to party every weekend XD.</p>
<p>:o any comments :p</p>
<p>The best way to make friends at college is to get in a dorm with as many people as possible and be totally willing and open to make friends…even if the people you’re with aren’t exactly the people you’d usually hang out with. Then use those people as sort of wingmen/escorts/connections to meet other people that you can then use as the same until you get a good friend.</p>
<p>Put out the friendly vibe and hopefully it will come back to you. It’s really no different than high school. It’s a big campus but since most everyone is at the same place and time everyday, you will see the same people over and over again. Hopefully in that time and space, you will be able to find a few kindred souls. GL and congrats.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies!</p>
<p>I’m glad to know that just because it’s a big campus doesn’t mean everyone has to be a stranger.</p>
<p>The best thing you can do is be open and accepting of different people. Walk up to someone who’s reading a book you love at the library, and ask them to have lunch. If someone in your dorm is walking through the hallway, stop them to talk and tell them your door is always open if they want to hangout. </p>
<p>I met one of my best friends in college during a meeting in our dorm. We sat next to each other during the meeting and then, after striking up a simple conversation, we met after the meeting and talked for like 2 hours. Now we’re great friends.</p>
<p>I would recommend meeting as many people as you can freshman year, and diversify your friend group. I made the mistake of not reaching out to people after I made a solid friend group, and guess what? 6 of my BEST friends that year didn’t return to school in the fall for various reasons (too expensive, transfer, live at home, community college, etc.) so I essentially started the school year being friends with 1 person! It was terrifying. Then I rushed a sorority, and although I ended up not choosing a house and sort of dropped out, I met a lot of great people who, in turn, introduced me to more people.</p>
<p>Hey buddy, </p>
<p>I spent 2 years at UConn Storrs before transferring out, basically because I was super socially anxious and had a hard time making friends. Here’s what I learned and what I wish I had done differently. </p>
<p>1) Keep your door open. Say hi to people in the halls as they walk by. If you are doing the traditional freshman 101 courses, there will be people in your dorms in your classes. Talk to them. Try to set up a study group or go to lunch after class or whatever. </p>
<p>2) Take smaller classes instead of big lectures where possible so that you actually meet people and interact with them, instead of just sitting silently with people in lecture halls. </p>
<p>3) Proactively join clubs and student groups. Go find the anime club (the school is large enough that they will have one). Find reasons to hang out with other people, even if it’s not something you might typically do (basketball games, campus events)</p>
<p>4) Your RA’s will organize a lot of floor activities during the first month. Participate. Make it a goal to meet the people you will be sharing space with. You know them, they know you, you introduce each other to more people. Go to the football games and floor parties and whatever else. Smile, be friendly. </p>
<p>5)Smile and say hi to people you recognize from previous activities. Find some kind of conversation starter besides “Hey, how are you?”. Ask people about their phone (hey I’m thinking of switching to that phone, do you like it) (hey, I am going to get lunch, are you heading that way) (hey, what are you up to this weekend ect…). Basically people are waiting for you to talk to them. It might be uncomfortable for you to open the conversation but it will get easier.</p>
<p>6) Don’t wait to be asked to go to dinner. Organize going to dinner. Or lunch. Reach out and invite people to do things. Be inclusive, invite as many people as possible. Most of them will say yes, and be grateful that you asked :)</p>
<p>Take care, </p>
<p>Lavalamp316</p>