<p>I've been here for three weeks now and have no friends. I just transferred here from a small private college. Im really sociable and nice. Any tips on how to make friends?</p>
<p>It’s hard to transfer in since you’re probably not in a dorm. What are you interested in and what is your major? Maybe people here can give you some ideas. Start talking to people in class - maybe about study group or something like that.</p>
<p>Did you go to organization fair a couple of weeks back? If not look at student affairs page and look at lists of organizations. If they have FB pages, “like” them so you get notified about events. Look at Daily Gamecock to see what’s going on.</p>
<p>There’s tons on service opportunities and some big events on campus like Relay for Life and Dance Marathon have planning teams running well in advance of event and are always looking for volunteers. </p>
<p>Give us some ideas of what you like and maybe we can help more. Some groups are just now having real organizational meetings so it’s not too late.</p>
<p>Consider getting a social job like waitressing, coffee shop, etc. Easiest way to meet people.</p>
<p>Well I’m a psych major and I love helping people.</p>
<p>Maybe see if you can get involved with some research or join a volunteer organization.</p>
<p>I met most of my friends from my hall freshman year, my U101 class, my campus ministry, and through theatre.</p>
<p>It’s all about just getting involved with what you enjoy. Perhaps you might like to join an intramural team? There are so many options.</p>
<p>OP- Definitely check out community service and service organizations. Like I said, look at the facebook pages. Apparently Relay for Life just had an interest meeting with 68 attending so that would be a fun group. Also look at things like Service Saturdays that happen monthly.</p>
<p>If you have a Psych teacher you like, stop by and chat during office hours and find out if there are student groups you might could join.</p>
<p>My D loves her campus ministry group. All denominations are represented (plus other religions if applicable) but you can attend wherever you feel most at home. There are also some large non-denominational groups that have big group meetings and small group bible study.</p>
<p>Get an exercise pass and go to classes at Strom. If you like outdoors, check out page for outdoor events. They have stuff going on monthly from rafting to bouldering to hiking.</p>
<p>Again, as a transfer, I assume you live off campus, but try to hang around when not in class. Check to see what services and event off campus housing has - I think there is an area in RH designated for off campus students and I’m sure people hang around there. Follow the off campus service twitter feeds (come pet a puppy at davis field!).</p>
<p>scmom12…I was just wondering which campus ministry group that your d is involved in? (if you dont want to share that info its ok too!) I was just curious because my d has been wanting to join a campus ministry and has been confused on which one to connect with. I know there are quite a few. She is used to attending a bible-based church here at home…is open to really any Christian denomination. She has met some great friends but so far none of them are involved in campus ministry as far as I know. I feel very strongly about her keeping up with her spiritual life and I think its important to her as well.</p>
<p>^ I would be interested to hear about which campus ministry as well! DD went to church the first Sunday with the Presbyterian Student Association and really enjoyed it, but is really looking for something more contemporary.</p>
<p>If anyone’s interested, I was a part of RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) while I was on campus and I absolutely loved it. It’s funded by a Presbyterian ministry, but it is open to all students. I even know some non-believers who have come just to try it out because they were invited, so it’s a really good way to meet all sorts of people. Sammy Rhodes, the minister, is absolutely amazing. (He’s also got some cool stories of his brushes with famous people. Zachary Levi invited him to his house!)</p>
<p>A lot of friends also really like BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministry). And Young Life.</p>
<p>As far as churches go, I loved First Pres (but it was very, very traditional). Shandon Baptist has a great college program. They do Sunday School together and then go to a contemporary service on Sundays. They have a bus that takes students to/from campus. Midtown is also very popular. One of my friends has decided just to concentrate on Midtown because they have a pretty good range of things available for students.</p>
<p>For Catholics, a bunch of my northern friends really like the Newman Club!</p>
<p>There’s definitely something for everyone! :)</p>
<p>A lot of students like the Methodist Student Network. It is contemporary and student oriented. Fun and not overdone. It is also on campus.</p>
<p>[MSN</a> ? Methodist Student Network](<a href=“http://msnatusc.com/v2/]MSN”>http://msnatusc.com/v2/)</p>
<p>NJmom3 (and LUV) - I’ll give my take on the ones I kind of know something about and, for luv, which ones may have contemporary services. My daughter attends PSA (Presbyterian student assoc). She enjoys it but her schedule keeps her to mostly Tuesday night meetings. We are in town so she has remained active in our home church on Sunday mornings and as youth leader. PSA has a really nice intern this year that worked with my D at Montreat (presby. conference center in NC). If you have a chance to go on retreat weekend there, go - it’s beautiful and laid back weekend.</p>
<p>D is very lucky that she has a great group of friends who are active in religious groups and she has visited several with them so my recs are mostly based on those kids, who I have met and really think a lot of.</p>
<p>She has a friend at MSN. They have their own service on Sundays instead of going to local church. Another is active in RUF (ARP). As AU said, they’re affiliated with First Pres uptown. One of her best friends is the student leader this year at Shandon ministries. They take bus loads of students to Shandon Baptist on Sunday mornings and I think it’s a pretty contemporary service. </p>
<p>As far as non-denominational groups, D’s roomies are involved in Carolina CRU (what was Campus Crusade when I was at college) and Midtown. I think CRU is more small groups, but I assume they have some type of large group meeting/worship. Midtown (midtowncolumbia.com if you want to look at it) is very popular. They have small group stuff and Sunday night contemporary service at a church on Devine Street, but I think you have to get there on your own so not as good if you don’t have a car. They have a huge youth and college program. I know lots of kids involved in it.</p>
<p>Also, OP and others - great weekend opportunity. The Greek festival is this weekend and they have really good food. Held at Greek Orthodox church down town - a nice walk in this weather.</p>
<p>scmom12 and AUgirl…thanks for all the info! (and the Amtrak info too scmom12)…I will pass that along. You mentioned a few that I was thinking about and had already suggested to my D . She would also probably enjoy anything contemporary. She really enjoys contemporary worship music. I just keep praying she will make those spiritual connections. It can be hard at college if you don’t. Thanks for all the recommendations!</p>
<p>Just some info… Midtown acts non-denom, but it’s actually affiliated and receives its funding from the Southern Baptist Convention.</p>
<p>Most of the different ministries on campus are affiliated with one denomination or another, but they’re genuinely open to students from all sorts of backgrounds. I grew up Baptist, but preferred RUF over Shandon. I know others who grew up Presbyterian, but prefer First Baptist ministry. And there was even a Catholic girl in RUF.</p>
<p>But yeah, if you’re religious, South Carolina has a great number of different options for religious groups. I know a lot of people who have really gotten connected and made great friends from religious organizations on campus. Even studying abroad this semester, I made sure to make that connection and it’s just been tremendously helpful.</p>