<p>I would really appreciate any advice you guys may have. Let me start this off by saying I'm not the most outgoing person but I'm far from antisocial. I'm a 24 year old college student, I just transferred to a big state school after a few years at community college. I live off campus but in an apartment complex full of upper class students. It seems like everyone already has their group of friends from their previous years here. The only other kids who seem to not have a group of friends yet are freshman. Being 24, I can't really relate to 18 and 19 year old students. I really want to make friends here but I don't know how. I have a couple of friends in the area and we go to the bars on the weekend. I've met some cool people but it's hard to make friends at bars (meeting single girls is another story :D ) Any suggestions?</p>
<p>You are going to be older than most of the students there except maybe grad students – and they don’t tend to do things like join clubs. If you are interested in undergrad friends, joining clubs or activities like writing for the school paper is a good way to meet people. You might meet people when working out, or in your upper level classes (if you get a chance to join a study group or want to form one, that can be a good way to meet people). The only other suggestion I have is to get a puppy. 
(not really, but it is a great way to start conversations – maybe you could borrow one!)</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply! I do go to the gym to work out, I’m thinking of trying to get involved in pick up basketball games there to meet people. A lot of the students in the upper level classes seem to already have their cliques and groups of friends so I’m finding it hard to find where I fit in. Thanks again for the advice!</p>
<p>Hmmm… I always found that big schools have a lot of older and non-traditional students. At least for mine it is. I think if you’re joining undergrad organizations, focus on ones that are professional+academically focused (think DECA) because I noticed they have an older population compared to Greek like (tons of freshmen). </p>
<p>As a junior, I find that we love meeting new people! I do have my clique of friends already, but I loooooove new faces because honestly seeing the same people over and over again gets a bit boring! Plus transfers are always exciting to talk to 
I’m sure other upperclassmen feel the same way.</p>
<p>Thanks lullabies! I’m going to try and be more friendly in class and maybe join a club/group. It’s only been a week so I’m also hoping the weekend will bring some more social opportunities :)</p>
<p>Hi bent89 :)!</p>
<p>I guess one week in school is still early to make new set of friends. Take all the time you have to meet new people. There is nothing wrong if you make friends who are younger than you. Maybe you can have them as your company when you hangout and do some group study :)! And yes, joining clubs and other organizations will increase your chances of letting you meet new people.</p>
<p>Best of luck :)!</p>
<p>Doris</p>
<p>I usually make friends with older or people of similar age somehow. It’s probably the fact that we’re not doing stupid things on campus, just studying our butts off. It’s unbelievable to me how much this 25 year old I knew studied. All of the friends I’ve made at my school (I transferred too but at 22) are older than me, work 2-3 jobs, and they’re engineering students. </p>
<p>I think the best way to make friends is to just keep talking to people. Sometimes people just click. I usually meet new people through classes.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies doris & caldud. I certainly don’t write somebody off because of their age, I just tend to relate more to people closer to my age. A lot of the younger students are still immature. Thanks again for the advice!</p>
<p>Just remember, circle’s of friends are a fluid thing. People don’t fill up after 10, or something. As you gain acquaintances, you will click with someone and slowly get to know their friends too, then you might find you click with some of those.</p>
<p>You’re welcome, bent89 :)! I’m glad that I was able to help.</p>