Having no friends in college can feel pretty lonely, especially when everyone around you seems to be grouping up. Fortunately, there are lots of ways for you to change your situation.
Check out all the different tricks you can try to make friends while in college:
What Can You Do About No Friends in College?
There are several options for making friends in college – these include giving yourself enough time to make friends, being more social in your everyday life, joining a club, getting a job, and looking for friends outside of your college and campus.
Give Yourself Time
If you have been in college for just a few weeks or even a few months, it isn’t surprising that you haven’t made friends. A lot of people aren’t able to create lasting friendships during the first year.
For one thing, everyone is trying to adapt to a new situation and can be too preoccupied during this period. Also, most students are in a constant state of transition trying to find themselves and get a grasp on higher education all at once.
Be patient with your situation and give yourself time. There is a good chance that you will start to make friends once you have started your first year. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t attempt to make friends during this time.
Be Social
If you are spending most of your time in your dorm room or by yourself, then you have your answer for why you don’t have any friends. For better or worse, making friends requires you to be proactive. This means that you need to start being more social.
To begin with, start going out more. Go for walks or head to places where there will be a lot of other people. Avoid staying in your room or in remote areas. The more people you are around, the higher the likelihood of you making a friend.
If any kind of invitation is extended to you, take it. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t sound like something you would be interested in – go ahead and check it out.
Take Charge of Your Situation
On a similar note, don’t wait for people to make the first move. Although it can be daunting, pluck up the courage to ask people to join you for a movie or some other activity.
Now, you may not always be successful and sometimes the friendship may fizzle out. Don’t give up, though.
When you take this initiative, it is important to be mindful of other people’s boundaries and feelings. Figure out whether people are comfortable around you, if they enjoy spending time with you, or if they are just being polite.
Join a Club or an Organization
Clubs, organizations, and other social groups are a great way to meet like-minded people. And, the best part is that there are often a lot of different groups to sign up for in college.
It isn’t enough to just show up for meetings, though. Actively participate in the group. Volunteer for activities and make an effort to initiate yourself into the organization. You will automatically end up making friends along the way.
Get a Job
The more time that you spend around people, the greater the likelihood of you becoming friends. If you are struggling with finding friends in your dorm or classes, then look for a job.
If you look for a job close to your university, you will probably find many college-age students working alongside you. At the very least, you will meet people all day, helping you to feel a little less lonely.
Look for Friends Outside of College
Your friends don’t have to go to the same college as you! If you are striking out with people in your school then it is time to broaden your horizons. Join groups or organizations within the town limits. Or, volunteer your time.
By expanding your options, you are increasing the chance of finding people who are similar to you.
One option is to look for friends online. From forums to online games, there are lots of ways for you to find people with similar interests as you. Just because they aren’t close by doesn’t mean that they aren’t your friends.
Understand That You Don’t Need to Have Friends
Everyone believes that they have to be surrounded by lots of people to be considered normal. There are some individuals, though, who are perfectly happy being alone.
If this describes you, then don’t try so hard to make friends. Enjoy your hobbies and the time spent by yourself. You should only make an effort to find friends if you are truly feeling alone.
Is It Normal Not to Have Friends in College?
Once again, most people assume that if they are friendless, they are the odd ones out. In reality, there are far more solitary people than you realize. There are lots of people in the same situation as you.
Making friends is difficult and you are not the only one going through a hard time right now. This is also why you are bound to make friends soon or later – there are people out there just like you!
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Help
If you are struggling to find friends, then the loneliness can feel overwhelming. This can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
In case your situation is hurting your mental state, seek help. Most colleges have counselors that you can talk to. It is important that you continue to look after yourself until your situation improves.
In many instances, talking to a professional may actually benefit you. You may be able to put yourself in a better position to find friends.
How Can You Overcome Not Having Friends in College?
There are lots of different ways to find friends in college – you can be more social, join a club, get a job, take initiative with meeting people, look for friends outside of college, give yourself time to find friends, and also realize that a little alone time is good.
