Everyone knows that graduation is an extremely important phase, as it is during this phase that we begin to build our professional career . What few people remember is that this training process also promotes contact with different people and their respective realities, beliefs, dreams and goals.
Therefore, in addition to gaining knowledge in the desired area, the student has the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of groups. This experience provides learning that may be useful in the future, since practicing a profession involves maintaining diverse relationships.
A good way to prepare yourself for the job market and make your academic routine more enjoyable is to know how to make friends at college. If you want to be successful at this, don’t miss the tips presented in this post!
1. Participate in the institution’s events
Socializing without knowing practically anyone can be challenging, but it is a worthwhile effort. Therefore, if you do not yet have close contact with your fellow students from your chosen course , consider participating in the various events held at the institution.
The more you participate in activities proposed by students or teachers, the more chances you will have of talking to people, forming discussion groups and, consequently, starting new friendships. If you feel shy, remember that many people may be in the same situation as you, that is, trying to establish a lasting relationship.
The positive side of this practice is that, in addition to allowing interaction with other students, it increases their attendance at lectures, fairs and other programs. The result? New learning and engagement typical of great talents.
2. Invest in extracurricular activities
The classroom is not the only place where you can develop skills . It is no wonder that, to complement their basic studies, many students develop extracurricular activities. These include tutoring, workshops, language courses and other training processes.
In some institutions, this type of activity may also include a sports, music, dance or theater group, for example. In these cases, it is interesting to evaluate which options best suit your profile and which may motivate you to participate.
You can be sure that you will find many colleagues in these spaces — and the best part: in a more relaxed atmosphere. This is a great way to stimulate conversations and bring people together, so don’t hesitate to participate in extracurricular activities.
3. Suggest the formation of study groups
Studying is never too much, especially when the eve of tests and other important assessments is approaching. It turns out that, for many students, the process of reviewing content and doing exercises tends to be easier in the company of classmates.
This way, it is possible to ask questions, exchange ideas about certain concepts and practice mutual assistance. The interaction to consult materials from different disciplines also strengthens the bonds created by the team, making members feel comfortable with each other.
It’s not uncommon to see friendships forming this way. So, if you’re having trouble interacting with other people in your course, why not suggest forming study groups at different times during the semester? That way, everyone will make new friends and, of course, more knowledge.
4. Be receptive and start a conversation
Although it may seem obvious, there’s a good reason for this tip. After all, we don’t always realize when our behavior is hindering the achievement of a certain goal. So, if you’re not sure how to make friends in college, it’s worth keeping this tip in mind.
Don’t isolate yourself in a corner of the room, avoid rushing through the college hallways, and try to spend as little time on your cell phone as possible. Although these practices may help to alleviate the feeling of awkwardness, they do not contribute to the formation of new relationships.
People gravitate toward those who seem to be on the same wavelength as them, so make an effort to appear approachable and open to interaction. Start by giving a friendly smile or a polite greeting, and you’ll soon be engaging with different groups.
5. Take advantage of social media
Today we have an incredible resource for keeping in touch with other people. The internet makes connections easier and can be a great ally for undergraduates, especially those who choose a distance learning course and need to study remotely .
If you are one of those people who tend to feel shy about initiating a conversation, take advantage of some social network. Options like Facebook allow you to send messages directly to a colleague or create groups to concentrate only people from college.
Explore the features of these channels and, when you are ready to meet people, schedule a meeting. The meeting can take place on the institution’s premises or in more relaxed spaces, such as a café or a bar.
6. Visit common areas
Have you ever thought that the library, auditorium, computer lab and other spaces on campus could be excellent places to meet your future friends? After all, they have a different atmosphere from the classrooms and are home to students from different courses.
In other words, when you attend these places, you will have contact with people from other classes besides yours. This way, you will be able to expand your possibilities by making friends and creating a very diverse circle. The ideal is to take advantage of the opportunity to update your study routine whenever you visit these places.
This way, while you don’t find an opportunity to start a conversation with someone, you can consult that important material or review the content of subjects that require a little more attention.
7. Keep your personality
You know that advice that says to be yourself wherever you are? Well, it’s valuable for anyone who wants to make and maintain lasting friendships. That’s because, by acting naturally, building relationships becomes easier and flows more easily.
As difficult as it may be, avoid paying too much attention to what others think of you. Don’t worry about changing your posture or disguising certain characteristics just to please someone. This care will allow you to get closer to groups that think like you and share the same interests.
Maintaining your personality should always be a practice, both within the institution and in the job market, whether when participating in an internship program or working in a company. This attitude will be extremely beneficial for your professional future.
Now you know how to make friends in college and have the best steps to ensure that new relationships emerge naturally. We hope you take advantage of each tip and have excellent experiences in the academic environment.