making friends while living off campus

mikemac
Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:20:31 +0000

many people advise living on campus frosh year because of the opportunity for experiences like your friend is having. However as SOad said, you can still make friends; it just will take a bit longer because they’re not right around you in the dorms. As an aside, many people in the dorms hang out with people all year long but then next fall when people change housing they don’t see many of them anymore and the friendships may wither.

As for you, the key is get involved. Set up study groups in your classes to work on the homework together (if that’s allowed) and quiz each other before tests. Check out the clubs on campus and join ones that are of interest. Many colleges have volunteer opportunities, and this can be a rewarding way to both get involved in helping others and meeting people. If you enjoy sports most colleges have intramural programs, many sports having several leagues of differing competitive level, and there is usually a way for a person without a team to join one. Also they offer classes in things you may be interested in, such as yoga, tennis, martial arts, etc. Many campuses have a greek scene. You can become a regular at a coffeehouse that has music in the evenings. These are just a few suggestions, the idea is to find some place where you’ll encounter the same people and have a chance to get to know them.