<p>Hello. I'm a freshmen who lives in an off-campus apartment due to lack of space left in dorms. I knew from the beginning that I would have less occasions of being able to socialize since I don't live in dorms as other freshmen do. Sometimes, I wonder whether or not I will ever make good friends because I never have the chance to be around them 24/7. I have joined a club but I still haven't made a good friend. Are there any advice for this? Anyone that has ever commuted, I think they know the best. Thanks.</p>
<p>I'm a freshman commuter too. We have a thing at my university that's off campus housing in an old Holiday Inn hotel for people who were told they could live on campus but got stuck a mile away. I've had a VERY rough first 8 weeks trying to make friends and be involved and feel like I'm a part of campus. Honestly, the club thing for me seems to be working. I have two friends in one of my clubs. The best piece of advice I can give you is what people have told me: smile, seem "approachable" (most people tell me I'm not), and give it time. It's the last part of that advice that I tend to forget (plus I'm very impatient and want everything yesterday). Another good tip...I randomly met someone who is very well known on campus, and he's kind of taken me under his wing. He introduces me to everyone he talks to and tries to keep me involved. He's an upperclassmen, so maybe try to become friends with one of them? I'm sorry if my advice isn't that great, I'm still working at it too so you're definately not alone! Oh, does your university have a club specifically for commuters? If not, you should try to see if you can round up some fellow commuters to start one! That way other commuters won't feel as lonely because they'll be part of something with people who get what they're going through :) Good luck!</p>
<p>A club for commuters eh? Sounds interesting, we should get to starting one at our university.</p>
<p>we have one at mine. it's actually kind of a bust :( if/when you start yours: make sure you have a FIERCE president. someone who'll get the job done and just say it like it is. i know at our univeristy, commuters are seen as the "bastard stepchildren of the university" and the president of our commuter organization has NO leadership skills so we're kind of drowning away :(</p>
<p>
[quote]
i know at our univeristy, commuters are seen as the "bastard stepchildren of the university"
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I don't think most people would even care whether someone commutes or not.</p>
<p>I guess joining club(s) is the best strategy to have really good friends if u live off-campus. I just feel that I might never have that "deep" relationship because ur not there to see them often. are there any other advices.
oh yea, by the way, for people who were in the same situation as I am, how long did it take for you to really find someone that you can call a good friend?</p>
<p>Well you know, just because you live on campus means you'll automatically make more friends. I live on campus and have maybe a few friends (more like random people I hang out with once in a while so really they aren't friends to me). I actually have an easier time making friends in clubs I'm interested in.</p>
<p>yes, it might be that u won't find the ones that u like in ur dorms but it's more likely that u will. now, can anybody tell me how long it took them to get used to the school (meaning that u actually have friends that u can have fun with)?</p>
<p>It's a case by case thing. You never know how long it will really be. Just learn how to enjoy yourself without lots of friends and I'm sure the friends will come later on.</p>
<p>Also, if you dont have one, you could get a part time job in campus that you could go in between or after classes. </p>
<p>You get to hang out in campus longer everyday, you can befriend coworkers who are also college students and might have similar interests since you work on the same thing, and if you are in a retail/service kinda gig, you get to meet a ton of people. Just think about the baristas, lab aides and tutors on campus, those people talk to a lot of students at work and can get popular ("whatup coffee girl!"). </p>
<p>I met several friends that way and I've been a commuter at school, so I hope it helps!</p>