Let me set the scene. I’ve been on break since finals which is around three weeks and I am about to leave for one week on a trip sponsored by my school. First off I’m nervous to attend the trip because I am the only freshman on the trip so I don’t know anyone. But the real issue is that I am nervous to go back to Campus. I love my school, but the problem is that about three girls I went to high school with also went to my college and I made the mistake of hanging with them and their roommates because I didn’t really like mine. The problem I found was everyone seems to have found their friend groups and I seem stuck with the same people. I’m acquaintances with a few girls on my floor but not “friends”. So I guess I’m wondering if anyone has any advice about returning from winter break with not really any friends and how to not get the post break blues (besides joining clubs). Thanks!
School will seem familiar when you return. You will go on a school trip with potential friends. Enjoy your trip! Look around you in class, dining room, bookstore and be friendly. Friends will come!. Just be yourself and be accessible to others on campus.
Acquaintances can grow into friends. Stop and talk to those girls. Ask what they did on break and invite them to join you in the cafeteria. If you see a person or group heading over, ask if you can join them. Spread out and be approachable.
Focus on the positives. Engage and enjoy your trip. Accept your choices. Enjoy your old friends. Be open to making new friends wherever they come from, trip, dorm, classes, clubs, etc.
People can start their college careers at different times of the semester. Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. There’s bound to be some new faces on and off campus when you return. Now, this usually happens when people graduate after the fall semester and some openings occur for the spring semester.
I also wouldn’t worry about joining a friend group at this time of the year. It’s easy to make friends at college, but it’ll take some effort from you.
Joining clubs would help, but if you want other options, consider these ones:
- Talk to some of the people on the trip and then a possible connection will be made. Once you exchange your number or any of your social media accounts with them, then you'll be good to go.
2a. Start up a conversation with someone if you sit at one of the long tables in your dining hall. They might be open to talking/meeting someone new or not.
2b. Now, if your feel confident and comfortable enough to go up to a random table and ask if you could eat with them, then do it. It’ll all depend if they want you to sit with them or not.
- At parties, introduce yourself to new people. But, try to ask some of your "acquaintances" to go with you because it's not that smart to go to a party by yourself.
- Get a job on or off campus. Then, you'll be able to become friends with your co-workers.
Overall, I understand how you feel. Everyone goes through this even if they don’t think that they do. I might’ve missed some other advice options, but if you follow some of my advice, then you might find yourself with some new friends next semester.