How to Meet People as a Freshman in College

For some students, leaving the familiar confines of high school for a new life in college can be quite intimidating. For others, moving beyond the repetitive nature of high school to an independent lifestyle can be rather liberating and exciting. Whatever the case, most college-bound seniors understand they'll need to make new friends once they settle down at their universities.

The entire process of meeting people in college can be really nerve-racking after spending four years around the same group of people. The best thing to remember is that you're not alone in your quest to find a friend.

As an incoming freshman in college, you are part of a massive group of people dealing with feelings of uncertainty and wonder. Use this experience as a chance to be more outgoing and step out of your comfort zone. In most cases, you'll face some awkward interactions and a little trial and error before you find a group with which you "click."

When you first move into your dorm, leave your door open and introduce yourself to your floormates. While they may end up being more of acquaintances than close friends, developing a relationship with your floormates is a great place for a freshman to start. In some cases, your floor's RA might even call a meeting to let everyone mingle with each other.

Never turn down opportunities to meet a friend's friend. College is all about networking, both in the professional and social sense. You never know, you might even develop a better friendship with the person you've been introduced to than the one who acted as a liaison.

Another tip for meeting people is to strike up a conversation with one of your classmates (either before or after class, of course). In large lecture hall classes, this can be a scary process, but if you make a sincere and friendly approach to someone after class, it can blossom into a new friendship. If you see people from your classes around campus, don't pretend like you don't know who they are. Be outgoing enough to wave or at least say "hey."

Many incoming freshmen rely on Facebook to develop a social circle. In my humble opinion, this is a complete cop-out. Sure, Facebook can be really useful to communicate with people once you've met them face-to-face, but don't let it be your alternative to introducing yourself to someone personally.

Another great way to meet people is to get involved in extra-curricular activities. Most colleges offer tons of opportunities to have fun outside the classroom, from playing an intramural sport to acting in a TV show. These activities are just another way to expand your social circle beyond one clique.

Speaking of cliques, be careful not to attach yourself to the first group of people you meet. College is meant to be different than high school, and cliques are the opposite of cool. Don't shy away from meeting new people and trying new things just because you already have "friends."

Ultimately, the first few months of college might be a little uneasy but that doesn't mean you won't have fun. It might just take a little while before you find the right mix of friends. Just remember, be outgoing and constantly try new experiences. After all, that's what college is all about.