Find your people: Tips for meaningful connections
Building new friendships in college can feel exciting and full of possibility. Remember, you鈥檙e surrounded by fellow Buffs who are also eager to connect, make friends and share experiences. Embrace this unique chapter鈥攅xploring campus life, joining clubs and trying new things can all open the door to meaningful connections. Check out these tips to discover ways to build supportive relationships and make the most of your college experience.听
1. Ease your expectations听
When looking for new friends, remember that each person you meet offers something different. Whether it鈥檚 a study buddy, an adventure partner or a good listener, having a diverse group of friends makes college more rewarding.听
It's okay to take your time as you find your community at CU鈥攔eal friendships often grow naturally over time. Be proud of every small step you take and celebrate your efforts to connect. Remember, college is not just about academics, but also about discovering who you are and the people who will cheer you on during this journey.听
2. Take advantage of opportunities for small talk听
Small talk may get a bad reputation, but it鈥檚 an incredible gateway to new friendships鈥攅specially in college. These quick chats are a natural part of meeting new people and can lead to some of your most memorable college moments.听
Whether you鈥檙e striking up a conversation with someone in your residence hall, swapping stories before class or chatting while in line for coffee, small talk helps break the ice and opens the door to discovering shared interests. Each casual exchange is a chance to learn something new鈥攎aybe you鈥檒l find a fellow hiking enthusiast or someone who鈥檚 excited about the same campus club as you. Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask about weekend plans, favorite classes or upcoming campus events鈥攖hese easy openers can lead to genuine connections and lasting friendships.听
3. Work with discomfort听
Meeting new people on campus can be an exciting part of your college adventure. Before new interactions, try grounding yourself and remember that you鈥檙e not alone鈥攅veryone else is trying to find their community, too.听听
- Physical tension: If you notice some nervous energy or tension, try focusing on the present moment. Quietly remind yourself of simple facts like your name, your reason for being here or something you鈥檙e looking forward to this week. These small reminders can boost your confidence and help you stay in the moment.听
- Nervous thoughts: If you catch yourself worrying about what others might think, try recognizing those thoughts without judging yourself. You could say, 鈥淚鈥檓 having the thought that I won鈥檛 fit in, but that doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 true!鈥 Give yourself permission to be authentic鈥攐thers appreciate the real you.听
By acknowledging discomfort and allowing yourself to move forward anyway, you give both yourself and others the chance for meaningful connection.听
4. Socialize your interests听
Balancing all that college has to offer鈥攃lasses, campus events clubs, and time for yourself鈥攃an be a rewarding challenge. Setting healthy boundaries and protecting time on your calendar for your hobbies and interests is a powerful way to make the most of your college years, meet new friends naturally and create lasting memories.听
Try penciling in regular moments each week for something you enjoy, even if your schedule feels packed. Whether you join a fitness class or a student organization, getting involved helps you meet new friends and feel more at home on campus. By becoming a familiar face at activities that interest you, you鈥檒l grow your social circle and strengthen your sense of belonging.听
Remember, there鈥檚 no pressure to build deep friendships overnight. Sometimes just showing up can make your day brighter and open the door to new connections.听听
5. Try different strategies听
There鈥檚 no single way to make friends and exploring different approaches can lead to great connections.听听
- Joining group events or chats makes meeting people feel easy and fun, and takes the pressure off one-on-one interactions.听
- Practice casual chats in daily life, like with a cashier, to build your comfort and confidence in conversation.听
- Have a few conversation topics in mind, like hobbies or weekend plans, to spark meaningful exchanges with new friends.听
- Remember past times in your life when you've had to make new friends, what worked then and what听you learned from that experience that you could apply now.听
As you practice small talk and meet new people, aim to keep early conversations light鈥攕haring just enough helps friendships grow naturally.听
Above all, remember that meaningful connections are built one step at a time鈥攕o trust your journey, reach out, and let your college experience become richer through the people you meet along the way.听
If you or someone you know is struggling to connect on campus or feeling isolated, there are support services available to help.听听
- : CAPS offers a number of mental health and support services for students, including therapy groups, workshops and drop-ins through Let鈥檚 Talk.听
- Health Promotion: If you are struggling with finding a community, navigating campus life or need support, Peer Wellness Coaching is a great free peer-to-peer option. They know what it's like to adjust to a new community (they're students too!) and can share tips, ideas and campus resources for meeting your people.听