How to Make Friends in College

College can be a very harrowing experience. After leaving well-known friends behind in high school, you're prepared to start a brand new life in a brand new place with brand new people. Needless to say, everyone needs friends. So what can one do to make friends at college?

Of course, it's awkward to simply walk up to a random person and engage them in conversation. Instead, look for opportunities to speak to people in close vicinity of you. Like it or not, you're going to be stuck in a room with dozens of people you don't know several times a day. Why sit there in captive silence when you can make some friends? When classes start, it's likely that very few people in there know one another, so there's plenty of opportunities to forge bonds with people early on. If there's an opportunity to talk to someone beside you, take it. Eventually, people are going to start hitting it off, and you don't want to be left in the lurch when everyone else has someone to talk to. Personally, I find the simple method to be the most effective. A simple, "So, what's your name?" is all it takes to initiate a conversation. Ask them where they're from. What program are they going into? Surely you can find some common ground with them. If anything, you can converse about what you think of the class you're in. I've cultivated associations with several people based solely on our likes and dislikes for the classes we were in. It works.

When a lecture is being given, if the teacher asks for students to respond to his or her questions, let your voice be heard. Try your hardest to make yourself known (in a positive way, of course) so that people will become familiar with your face, your voice. Not only are people naturally more drawn to those who seem friendly and talkative, but they'll likely recognize you when they see you elsewhere on the campus.

If people are having casual conversation in the classroom, don't be afraid to speak up if you hear something that you can contribute to. You can find common ground with people simply by listening to what they're saying to one another. Of course, don't eavesdrop on private conversations, but keep your ears open and be selective about what you hear.

Even if there are people in your class that you don't have a chance to talk do, if you see them somewhere outside of class, give them a friendly wave or head nod to show them that you recognize them from class. Chances are (if they recognize you back, of course), they'll do the same. Say hi to them. Ask them what they think of what you're studying in class. You never know who you may forge a close friendship with. Some people I rarely talked to in my classes, but whenever I saw them coming down the hallway, I often gave them a friendly wave. People appreciate being recognized. Taking the time to learn the person's name and call it out when you see them generally leaves an impression on them.

These are just a few tips that I've found effective for making friends at college. Above all things, be talkative with people. Be friendly with them. Reach out to them. Don't wait for them to come to you. Treat whomever you speak to with respect, as you would want to be treated. By doing so, you're likely to forge close bonds with your fellow classmates and turn a potentially cold, unfeeling college experience into one that you'll remember throughout your lifetime.