How To Make Friends In College

Admit it. Those four years you were waiting to graduate from that hell hole people call high school, you knew that there was something special about you. Something that your peers just couldn't understand. Once college came around, you knew you were going to whip out that something and "let it shine, let it shine". But now the first day of college is only a few days away and you have cold feet. You're asking yourself:

Am I going to be the same dork I was in high school? Am I going to make friends? Will my roommate like me? Will anybody like me?

Well, never fear! I have some advice for you ex-dorks! You have it in you to be anything and have everything you want. However, it will take work.

1. Hall mates

During orientation, you will spend pretty much all of your time with the people on your hall. Get to know these people. Visit all of their rooms and introduce yourself. When you're moving into your room, smile and greet people as you past them. There is a saying that the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I would argue that the fastest way to most people's hearts is through their stomachs. Make some cookies or brownies and go introduce yourself to them with a treat.

2. Clubs

Sign up for any club you think that would even be slightly interesting and go to all of the meetings. Be friendly and remember names. When you decide which ones you want to join, take an active part in the club. Dedicated and friendly people get top positions in organizations. You want to be at the top. You want people to know your name and come to you for advice.

3. Mixers

You will go through this excruciating thing called a mixer, during orientation. At these shindigs you will be awkwardly thrown together with other freshmen and forced to interact. Take advantage of them. What's the good of a mixer, if you don't mix?

4. Remember Names

I've already mentioned this, but remember people's names. Say "hi" to them, whenever you see them, making sure that you greet them by name. People love hearing their own name. It'll make them think you care.

5. Don't Fly Solo

Don't sit alone in the cafeteria during the first weeks of school. Pretty much everyone is feeling awkward. Walk up to another person that is sitting alone and ask to join them. I've done this. This is how you do it: Greet the person and remark that you don't like to see people sitting alone looking so bored, sad, awkward, or whatever. Ask them if they wouldn't mind if you joined them. Tell them that anytime they see you in the cafeteria, they are welcome to join you. Then later, if you're not a wimp, you can divulge the fact that you actually felt just as awkward as they did. It might make you seem more humble.

6. Facebook

Add as many people from your new school as you can. Make sure that they share some of your interests. Start a group for your dorm or hall. A lot of people will list their dorm numbers on Facebook to connect with other students.

7. Be yourself.

Don't be who people want you to be. That said, if you have an off-putting personality and you are typically rude, evil spirited, vain, etc., you need to reconsider how you approach people. Just because you think something, doesn't mean you have to say it. I'm not asking you to change your personality, but rather your actions.

Also, if you're gay, be gay. If you were a cheerleader in high school who secretly liked anime, join the anime club. If you didn't do something you wanted to do in high school because you were scared, do it in college.

8. Dress well.

Why wouldn't you? It makes you feel good. When you feel good, you look good.

9. Take a risk.

Taking risks means failing sometimes. If you can get past the idea of failing, you'll survive taking the risk.

10. Stay up for the midnight talks.

When everybody's out in the common room talking at midnight and you're tired, don't go to bed. These are the times when people get intimate and really connect with each other. You want to be there.