by Lindsay Oliver

Created on: August 03, 2009   Last Updated: August 06, 2009

College is a new and exciting experience for young adults. Leaving home for the first time is often intimidating, and acclimating to new circumstances can be equally scary. There are a few things that a new student can do to ensure that he or she makes new friends, easing them into their new experience.

First and foremost, you should take part in as many freshman orientation programs as possible. This will open up a whole new world to you and help to know the resources your school has. Many schools have activity expos and fun events to help new students get to know each other.

At an activities expo, freshmen can learn about the plethora of clubs and sports teams their school has to offer. This is a great way to get to know new people and make new friends. There are usually practices and games if you join a sports team, and teams usually do bonding activities and go out together. Clubs sometimes do fundraising activities, everyone knows that they have at least one thing in common, and it is a really easy icebreaker.

Take classes that are inherently social. A lot of introductory classes are large lecture classes that do not allow for socialization, but classes that involve lab hours or studio hours allow students to get to know their classmates. Science classes that have lab hours usually require lab partners and are a perfect way to get to know someone. Photography classes require countless hours in darkrooms. Waiting for your photographs to develop is great opportunity to chat up your neighbor.

College parties are also a great way to meet people, especially during the first week of school. Everyone is looking to make new friends, and you will usually meet so many people you can't keep them straight. Another great way to meet people is through the Greek system. Even if you don't end up joining a house, you can meet new people through the recruitment process. If you do end up joining a house, you have plenty of new brothers or sisters who are just waiting to get to know you better.

Get to know your roommate. This one can be a bit tricky, though. If you don't end up getting along that well, remember that you have to live with them for the rest of the year. At the very least, they might be able to introduce you to new people. On the same level, get to know the people who live on your floor. These are the people that you are going to be borrowing things from and watching your favorite TV shows with for the rest of the year.

Lastly, study abroad. Studying abroad is an amazing college experience and the people you share it with will be irreplaceable. You'll never forget them and you will always have something in common with them. Even if you're from different groups of people at your home school, you'll most likely remain friends when you return.

Remember that everyone is in the same boat as you. Everyone is looking to make new friends and find a new comfort level. Get out of your comfort zone and talk to people that you usually wouldn't. Learning and developing yourself is what college is all about and the best way to do that is to meet people from all different backgrounds with different interests.

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