How to Meet People in College

jun 25, 2022

If you're starting college soon (or simply planning on going at some point in your not-so-far-off future), you might be feeling both excited and stressed about this new chapter of your life.

It's not tough to imagine why—college is an environment like no other, after all. You'll be starting off in a whole new place, most likely living away from home for the first time and having to leave most if not all of your old friends behind.

Worry not, though, as college is actually the time when you'll meet some of the people who could actually become the most influential in your life, well beyond your four-or-so years at university! It can be hard to leave your high school friends and family behind, but meeting new people in college is nowhere near as difficult as your might think. In fact, it can be easier than ever before—all you have to do is follow a few of our tips below. So, let's jump into how to meet people in college:

1. Get Comfortable Breaking the Ice

Remember, everyone in college is there for at least a few of the same reasons: because they also want to earn a degree and because they liked at least something about this particular school enough to apply in the first place. Even if you have absolutely nothing else in common with someone, you both share at least that! Collective experiences can connect people easily, and attending the same college means you have at least something that you share with everyone you might meet. So, don't feel weird just approaching people that you want to meet, whether it's the girl you sit next to during your first day in class or the random guy who looked as lost as you trying to find your classroom during syllabus week. Even if it's as simple as "Did you have as much trouble finding the textbooks as I did?" or another class-related question, someone has to break the ice first in order for you to meet people, so why not let it be you?

College woman and man walking together to class: Shutterstock. Rear view of young college friends talking while walking in campus

(via Shutterstock)

Also read about: 15 Conversation Starters for Teens

2. Explore Your Interests

Colleges are full of clubs, intramural sports and other extracurricular activities for students with specific interests, whether they be athletic, academic or simply interest-related. If there's something specific you love, explore what clubs your university offers and join one! You're going to meet people who share your interests, making it a super easy way to meet people you have things in common with.

3. Meet Your Dorm Mates

You don't have to be friends with your roommates, despite what you may have heard. Even if you and your roommates just don't click beyond your chore chart responsibilities, you can still try making friends with people who share your dorm building. It's the perfect setup for late-night study sessions and sleepovers, and you'll see them regularly since you're in the same building. Plus, it gives you people you can walk to classes or to the dining halls with, and that's always a big bonus.

Friends chatting in a dorm hanging out: Shutterstock. The concept of everyday student life. The girl is sitting at a table with a laptop and talking with her friend, who is lying on the couch. Lives in a dorm.

(via Shutterstock)

Also read about: 4 Things to Know About Having a Roommate in College

4. Mutual Friend Meetups

Whether it be through a new friend you met since starting college or through a friend from high school, meeting people through mutual friends is always a great way to connect with people who you probably have a higher chance of clicking with. After all, you all clearly have the same taste in friends if you already share at least one, so why not become friends with each other, too? Exclusivity of friend groups—thankfully—doesn't exist in college the way it sometimes did in high school, so leave the toxic clique mindset behind and embrace a "the more the merrier" mindset to potentially expand your circle and meet some best friends for life.

5. When in Doubt, Try Compliments

If you can't think of any other way to break the ice with someone, compliments are key. It's a safe bet that can get just about anyone talking, and it opens up the floor with plenty of positivity. Everyone loves hearing something nice about themselves, even if it's simply a compliment related to their shoes or hair. So, start throwing around compliments left and right (only when you actually mean them though, of course) and see what might happen with the people you meet that way.

Two guys complimenting and talking to each other at college: Shutterstock. Two friend sitting down on stairs shaking hands. Businessmen very happy after success project. concept of business marketing, negotiation, compliment and management.

(via Shutterstock)

Also read about: Why Complimenting People Is The Easiest Way to Make Friends

Ready to start meeting people? If you need a little extra encouragement, check out our list of 4 ways to meet new friends by clicking HERE.