5 Ways to Make Friends Fast in a New Semester

It’s the beginning of a new semester and one thing you will need to have at least a bearable journey are people you can call friends but we all know how hard and stressful making new friends are, more so if you are a fresh student and you are surrounded with unfamiliar faces. But fear not! With these five (5) tips, you’ll be equipped with simple and effective ways to make friends quickly and start building strong and meaningful connections

Join Clubs and Organisations

One of the easiest way to find like minded people and make friends is by joining a club or an organization. Joining one of these groups is like signing up to be part of a family and even if your extended family are not all that likeable, you can always bank on your nuclear family. In other words, you’ll find your people amidst the crowd. To read more on finding your tribe through campus clubs and organisations click here.

Attend Campus Events 

Another guaranteed way to make friends is by attending campus events, from freshmen week activities to concerts, to lectures, to festivals literally any campus event. Campus events are designed to bring students together and taking advantage of these means that get to meet people from different faculties and background.

Pro tip: Make it a goal to introduce yourself to at least one new person per event.

Start and Participate in Class Conversations

Before you say “it can’t be me”, remember that the goal is to make new friends and what better way to start than with your classmates.  Whether you are waiting for the lecture to begin, working on a group assignment or just running into classmates between classes, make an effort to start conversations. 

Conversation Starter Tip: “Have you started the assignment?”, “How is your progress on the project?” or “What did you think of today’s lecture?”

Say “Yes” to Invites

You can’t always be in your comfort zones and expect to make friends so learn to say yes to at least some social invites. These can open up doors to new friendships. The more you show up, the more others will get to know you and start including you in their circles. Even if you’re feeling a little shy, try to attend at least one new event each week. You can make it two weeks or whatever is comfortable for you.

Be approachable and Open Minded

This may seem like an obvious tip but it is one of the most effective way to make friends. Smile, introduce yourself, and be willing to listen. Show genuine interest in others’ lives and interest. That way you will be very much approachable to people and make new friends conveniently.

In conclusion, making friends might seem intimidating at first, but remember that many students feel the same way and are just as eager to connect. The start of a new semester offers countless chances to meet others, and by following these tips, you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by a supportive group of friends who’ll help make this semester your best one yet.