by Wispen Lee

Created on: September 10, 2009

Moving into a completely new environment far away from the familiar faces of home is a different phase for most. College is definitely going to be a challenge academically, but it can also be a trial socially if you don't manage to find any friends to share the good moments with. Making friends is an important part of college life, and it is essential that one has friends to fall back on, especially in a new environment.

For those who have always lived in small home towns, where the friends who see through grade school and high school are faces who have been with you since infancy, it may be hard to have to take the first step out and find new friends. Hard as it may be, if you are willing to take the first step out, you will find that it is indeed a rewarding and enjoyable process to get to know others from different backgrounds and experiences.

The crucial key to making friends in your first year in college is to be friendly and open to others, and to be willing to take the first step in getting to know more about them. Having the right attitude towards meeting new people will relax yourself and others, making for a smoother time in making friends.

One of the best ways to get to know people and to make friends in your freshman year is to join orientation activities. While admittedly some of the activities may require you to step out of your comfort zone and get along with people you may not know very well, orientation activities are a fast way to meet others who are also eager to make friends. Sharing moments over games and activities, as well as many of the orientation games that encourage freshmen to interact with each other allow a glimpse into the interests and personalities of other people, which allows for you to know which people you may find similarities with, and perhaps form close friendships with.

Living in a hostel or hall is also another good way to make friends in your freshman year. There is nothing quite like being away from home to bond roommates together. Many halls and hostels organise activities such as late night suppers and social gatherings that allow you to get to know those who will be living around you better. Choosing to stay away from home also helps to lessen the feeling of the safety net of long-time friends and family to allow you to open up more to strangers.

Joining clubs and societies based on your interests is another prime way to meet and make friends. For example, if you were in your high school choir, you might wish to

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