<p>I'm moving from Arizona to Colorado State University, but as a transfer student. I'm really worried about making friends because it's one of those schools that has a majority of undergrads who are in state students so basically everybody already knows everyone else. People say they're up to making new friends but that's never the case. If they already formed their friend groups it would be hard to make friends. I will be going through sorority recruitment so maybe that will help but it's still intimidating and hard. Any tips??</p>
<p>I went from Wisconsin the South. People say it’s a big culture shock, but I think it’s exaggerated vastly. Southerners as a whole are very welcoming and engaging when you meet them.</p>
<p>The two biggest struggles for me was missing my parents and (of course) my dog. I hardly see my family during the school year (I went home like twice all year). It’s hard. You also don’t know anybody, obviously, when you first get there. For some people that can be difficult, but if you get involved you’ll be fine! </p>
<p>I think if you’re more of a introvert you might have trouble meeting people at first. You won’t know anyone after all, so while most students will have some people talk to during orientation, you might feel secluded and uncertain. If you’re more of an extrovert, then just go up and be friendly and you’ll make friends quickly. Everyone at orientation is like you – nervous (even if they don’t appear to be, most people get some anxiety at college at first). </p>
<p>You might get a culture shock. I don’t know the culture in Arizona or Colorado (not my region).</p>
<p>I went to a state school in Mass (from Ohio), granted I lived in Mass before Ohio. I still didn’t know anyone going into school. It was difficult at first because a lot of people already knew each other and everyone went home on the weekend. It was a struggle for me at first because I missed my friends and family from home, but home was a ten hour drive away. However, I was able to make friends fairly quickly even though I’m very shy. I think if you’re living in the dorms you will be fine. Joining a club can help too! </p>
<p>I went to a state school and I knew several people both at my state school and other state schools who didn’t know any of the other students who went to that school. Obviously, it varies by the school, but I wouldn’t assume that everyone at that school already has friends and isn’t open to making more. I also made many friends with other people who knew each other from high school. Sometimes, it’s even better because if you meet one person, then you can get introduced to a whole different group of people. Meeting friends of friends is a great way to expand your social network, rather than limit it.</p>
<p>Get involved and keep an open mind. Keep putting yourself in situations where you meet new people and where you can see the same people repeatedly. Invite people you meet to do other things like going to a movie or getting something to eat. Are you going to be a transfer student? That may make it a little more difficult to make friends than being out of state, but there will likely be orgs or activities geared towards transfer students to help you get involved.</p>