| Making new friends in college can be tough, but | | | | your regardless of who you were in high school. |
| don't worry - everyone is feeling the same way | | | | Be yourself - you will look back and thank |
| you are: anxious, nervous, and excited... all at the | | | | yourself in the future. |
| same time! Although your new environment may | | | | Keep In Touch Once you've met someone for |
| be intimidating, don't fret - there are plenty of | | | | the first time, make an effort to hang out with |
| opportunities to meet new friends! Here are a | | | | them the next day or later that afternoon. Go to |
| few tips I've gathered from my first week of | | | | a dining hall together to get dinner, explore the |
| college that will hopefully make your transition to | | | | campus, hang out in your dorm room. The more |
| college a bit easier! | | | | effort you put in to keeping in touch, the more |
| Be Kind I'm sure you've heard the saying, "a little | | | | likely that they will do the same in the future. |
| kindness can go a long way". This statement | | | | Give It Time So you didn't make any new friends |
| couldn't be more true! I've found that one of the | | | | today - don't worry! These things take time. A |
| most effective ways to meet new people is to | | | | good friendship will never be forged in a day... or |
| be kind and genuine. Believe it or not, everyone is | | | | probably even a week for that matter. Let people |
| in the exact same boat as you. They, too, have | | | | become comfortable with their new surroundings. |
| left all of their old high school friends behind and | | | | Make an effort to talk to or hang out with your |
| are dying to find some new people to call their | | | | new peers. Don't rush things - let things work |
| friends! As I mentioned earlier, and will mention | | | | themselves out organically. Don't worry if you lose |
| again, "a little kindness can go a long way". | | | | touch with some of the people you met your |
| Be Yourself Out of all four tips, I think this one | | | | first week of college- it happens. Your closest |
| might be the most important. Why? Think of it | | | | friends will emerge as your college career |
| this way - now that you are in college, there is no | | | | progresses. Always stay optimistic and never lose |
| more struggle to fit in with all of your high school | | | | hope! |
| peers and the social hierarchy that comes along | | | | Hopefully you have found these tips to be helpful. |
| with it. Everyone is given the chance to start a | | | | Don't forget to sit back, take a deep breath, and |
| fresh slate. If you try to act like somebody | | | | relax! Things always have a way of working |
| you're not, you'll soon find that you'll be in the | | | | themselves out. If you don't have a new best |
| same struggle that you were in high school to fit | | | | friend by the first few weeks of college, don't |
| to the social stigmas you've molded yourself into. | | | | stress out! Let your friendships develop organically. |
| Just be yourself, honestly! People will love you just | | | | And don't forget, always be yourself! |
| the way you are and want to be friends with | | | | |