Twitter Chat: How to Make Friends at College

Recently we participated in a Twitter chat hosted by The Hope Scholarship. One of the questions they posed was how to make friends at college. Whether you’re a first time freshman or going back to college for an advanced degree, making friends and finding a sense of belonging is a common goal we all share. Here are a few tips that folks participating in the chat shared about how to make friends at college:

1. Mingle with people in your classes before and after. - @_erykah
   Getting to class early will give you a chance to connect with new people and make small talk. You have to go to class anyway, so make the most of your time before and after to strike up a conversation with the hottie in the aisle seat.
2. Resist urge to text and make eye contact. - @chattyprof
   Going to an event won’t do you any good if you’re sitting in the back corner texting the entire time. Put your smart phone back in your pocket and look for ways to engage with other people, including eye contact and smiling.
3. Smile, be kind, and be social. - @_erykah
   Smiles equate with friendliness and make it easier for people to approach you.
4. Eat in the cafeteria!! - @L_Siobhan
   If you go where the people are, you’re more likely to meet more people — this would include class, the student lounge, or the cafeteria. When you’re in line for food, make comments to people near you about how appetizing (or not) the food looks. If you see someone eating alone, ask if you can join them. Chances are they’ll say yes.
5. You can’t make friends by staying in your room. Get out, be social. - @L_Siobhan
   Colleges have mixers and social events on a regular basis. Grab a friend and try to meet some new people. Like the earlier tips suggested, smiling and making eye contact goes a long way when making friends.
6. Why not join a club? - @mycolleges
   Campuses have clubs on every topic you can imagine. If you’re into fencing, yoga, or chess, you’re bound to find a club with people in it that share your interests. What better foundation for friendships?

What is your best tip for making friends at college?