Maintaining relationships
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Talk to someone you do not know once a day.
It will benefit you socially.
one person who lived it
Volunteer for causes that involve people your age to meet compatible people.
Volunteering helps you meet people there.
- Ensure the volunteer work involves people of your age.
one person who lived it
Set a daily goal to talk to at least one new person to systematically expand your social network.
One person set this goal to combat agitation and worry about psyching themselves out.
- This is one person's personal goal and struggle.
one person who lived it
Get a part-time job on campus.
It can help build long-term friendships.
one person who lived it
Ask people for favors regarding things you genuinely care about.
People have not denied requests when the asker showed genuine care.
- Asking for favors can feel insanely uncomfortable.
one person who lived it
Approach classmates outside of lecture rooms to ask about subsequent classes and invite them to hang out briefly.
One person successfully met friends this way.
- This is based on one person's specific experience.
one person who lived it
Walk your neighbor's dog to help with casual conversations with fellow dog walkers.
It provides a break and easy conversation topics when you don't know what to say.
one person who lived it
Focus on activities and locations where you will see the same people regularly over time.
Getting to know people you see repeatedly for weeks and months is key to building connections.
2 people, independently
Meet people by participating in fitness activities such as lifting weights or taking fitness classes.
You can find workout partners and social connections through these shared activities.
3 people, independently
11 more on this
Practice socializing by talking to yourself in the mirror to overcome awkwardness.
One person found this helped them learn how to make friends over the summer.
- This is based on one person's experience as an awkward individual.
one person who lived it
If no club exists for your interest, start one to create a reason to recruit and talk to people.
It provides an opportunity to initiate conversation through recruitment.
one person who lived it
Join a church or religious community to access social hangouts and mutual friends.
Consistent weekly attendance allows for talking to old friends and meeting new ones in an organic way.
one person who lived it
Engage store employees or locals by casually asking for advice on products or services they offer.
People love giving advice on what they're selling.
one person who lived it
accept invitations and initiate plans yourself, as you cannot wait for others to invite you after graduation.
No one will automatically reach out to include you in activities after university ends.
- Initiating contact may feel awkward at first.
one person who lived it
Seek employment that requires collective effort to get shared goals.
This structure naturally fosters bonding among coworkers and makes friendship easier to establish.
- Avoid jobs with toxic cultures where people compete destructively.
one person who lived it
Understand that non-seniors in college may seek fun or mentorship rather than deep friendship.
one person who lived it
Accept invitations to social events from outgoing friends to expand your network indirectly.
This can open doors to new connections, including potential romantic setups.
one person who lived it
Adopt a distinct 'character' or persona based on specific hobbies to become memorable and easier for others to categorize.
People instantly connect to and remember those they can categorize.
one person who lived it
Introduce yourself to new members in hobby clubs, such as table tennis, and chat about their interests to form connections.
one person who lived it
Make friends with roommates by sharing communal spaces and routines.
one person who lived it