by Warren O. Brennan

Created on: July 22, 2009   Last Updated: July 25, 2009

Freshmen Orientation presents a great opportunity to meet the classmates you will spend the next four years of your life with. This is a crucial time for your social life since, believe it or not, it will most likely determine your circle of friends for at least the next year, if not the next four years.

The best way to make friends during this time is actually to contact them beforehand. Almost all incoming Freshmen classes have an individual who lives on Facebook and will immediately create a group for the class. Now, I am not trying to advertise for Facebook or make recommendation on what you do on social networking sites, but I would advise joining these groups. It is a laid back, non-confrontational way to introduce yourself and at least make some contacts for when orientation actually starts. Some schools have even set up their own sites that act on the same principle of getting Freshmen to introduce themselves to one another. Check and see if you College or University has set up one.

Be careful though! Particularly if you are young guy in search of a nice co-ed, you must watch your words very carefully as to not come off too eager/borderline stalkerish. Many have made the mistake of taking two lines in an instant message the wrong way only to find that when you actually get to campus he/she was just being friendly. Overly talking to someone the weeks before you arrive to campus can lead to you being cast into the shadows as the "Facebook creep from the summer", something I would imagine you would like to avoid as you embark on your academic pursuits.

Finally, orientation day comes around. Take my word for it, this can be a great time. You are on a college campus with hundreds of people your own age and, best of all, you have zero work to worry about. Take advantage. Meet as many people as possible. Don't feel awkward going up to someone and asking where they are from and what they are majoring in. Trust me, nearly everyone is in the same position you are: they know nearly no one and they are looking to make friends. Whereas in other social situations it may be frowned upon to go up to strangers and quiz them on their personal life, it is expected if not encouraged at College Orientation.

If you choose, instead, to sit in the background you will undoubtedly regret it that first weekend after classes when the whole of the freshmen class is off to a party and you are stuck in your dorm room getting an early start on that Philosophy paper.

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