Struggling to make friends....

<p>Being a tech idiot, I am not even sure I am posting in the right place on this forum, so if I should be doing this somewhere else, please let me know!</p>

<p>My daughter is a freshman this year at Vassar, and is struggling to make friends. She feels she has many acquaintances, but no real friends. She is politically liberal, but dresses conservatively and in many ways is traditional. She is a very sweet and sincere person, but a bit of an introvert. She has joined a few clubs and organizations, but still cannot seem to get the friend engine started. She is home for the week right now, and, teary-eyed, told me she is not looking forward to going back to school.</p>

<p>She is already thinking about transferring somewhere else at year's end. But how to find a school to transfer to - one that would be a better fit - how do you do that? I have searched 'friendliest colleges" and basically nothing comes up; no surprise. Perhaps she needs to consider a less liberal school. Are there academically-excellent, middle-of-the-road ones that are not large and impersonal? She needs the environment of a smaller school. </p>

<p>Thank you for any suggestions you have.</p>

<p>It’s so tough to watch your kids when they’re not happy. It’s still pretty early in the year so I wouldn’t give up quite yet. Can I ask…What was her social life like in high school? Did she have a few choice people in her circle that she did everything with? Or a big “gang” of friends?</p>

<p>I think it just takes time. All of the freshman need time to acclimate and find their place in this new environment. Joining clubs is good - going to social events on campus etc. Finding people to study with from her classes is another idea. I would tell her to be patient.</p>