Hey, I’m currently a student at BYUI, I’m from out state and this is my second year. My first year I had the ultimate college experience- my best friends were my roommates we did everything together and we really clicked. Long story short come back for my second year and all my roommates have left, my new roommates aren’t the best we don’t get along well, and since I only made friends with my roommates I have no friends here on campus. I’m really lonely, and tired of not having any friends or doing anything on the weekends. I am a very nice girl and always look after everyone and I talk to people in classes and in the clubs I am in, but I don’t have anyone outside of that. It’s the end of the semester too so I feel like what’s the point of even trying to make friends. But I would like to make friends next semester, but I’m a bit shy and awkward and have a hard time talking and letting myself be known to other people, once I’ve established someone I trust then I am super social and outgoing and fun, it’s just finding those people that I can make friends with. Because of how hard this semester has been without having any friends, it got me wondering about how to reach out to those on my campus in similar situations, because being lonely is the worse thing ever and I hate the feeling, so I would like to help others not feel this way too.
Again, this semester has been really hard on me emotionally without having anyone, I just don’t have the motivation to do classwork, exercise, eat right or go out, because I’m so lonely. It’s being making me consider moving back across country to go to school at home, but I don’t want to give up yet. I need help.
If there’s someone in class or in a club (seems from your post that you are in at least a couple) that you get along with, you might try inviting them to do something outside of class time. I enjoy studying with acquaintances that might become friends; it’ll help you both academically and you’re likely to become good friends if you “click”. This has the added perk of providing you with a possible lab or group work partner in the future if you’re in the same program. Inviting someone for coffee/tea/cocoa, either at your college’s cafe or at your apartment, can be a good way to just hang out and chat too. One of my best friends is my “stand buddy” in the band. We have to sit next to each other for 2 hours 3 times a week and still like to have dinner together and practice outside of rehearsals (even though we kind of hated each other freshman year). It sounds like you have a good foundation, just need to take the step from acquaintance to friend; this involves a bit of risk on your part, but it is worth it.
Also, if this issue is causing you to lose motivation or feel hopeless, please PLEASE go to your school’s counseling center. Even if all you do is spend a half hour talking to someone it’ll probably help.