How to Connect to Your College Community

Freshman year of college brings a lot of change to a student’s life - new school, new campus, maybe even a new city or state! While you have many great new experiences to look forward to during your freshman year of college, one of the most exciting parts by far is meeting new people and making friends. Here are some great ways to connect to your college community!

Orientation

New student orientation gets you all set up to start your new life as a college student. While orientation is typically a time to get some practical stuff done, like receive a student ID or register for classes, it’s also intentionally set up to introduce new students to each other. We know the idea of meeting a lot of new people all at once sounds overwhelming and intimidating, but trust us, putting yourself out there and being open to new friendships will go a long way at the beginning of your college journey. As you begin to find your community, your school will feel more like home!

On-campus spots

After orientation is over and classes begin, there are many other great spots around campus to make new friends and build community! These include:

• Your residence hall - Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone in your dorm or on your floor and ask them to grab dinner or coffee with you! Every new student wants to make friends, so this invitation will go a long way for them.
• The dining hall - Feeling bold? Ask to join someone’s table if they have an empty seat in the dining hall! Ask them about where they’re from, what they’re majoring in, and what their favorite things to do on campus are. Even if you don’t end up being close friends with this person, you likely will have learned something new from them!
• Class - Taking a challenging class? Set up a study group with some classmates. Not only will you strengthen your knowledge of the class material together, you’ll likely make some new friends in the process!

Clubs & student organizations

No matter where you go to college, there’s always bound to be something happening around campus! Ask your RA or someone on your floor about any student clubs or organizations that they’re familiar with, or check your school’s website to find a full list. Check the social media profiles of clubs or organizations that you’re interested in to find out where and when they meet, and attend a meeting! You’ll meet lots of new people who you can easily bond with over your shared interests. Don’t want to go alone? Invite a new friend or someone on your floor to come with you!

Need some support as you transition to college? Text us! Send #Hello to 33-55-77 to speak with one of our college advisors!