7 Ways to Make Friends
Writer: Jessica Djong
Illustrator and Designer: Milena Sinyakina
Starting college is a thrilling time, but it can also be a bit daunting, especially when it comes to making friends. Whether you’re introverted or tend to be on the shy side, building connections is crucial for a meaningful college experience. So, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there—take the initiative to make friends. To help you establish those connections this fall, here are some great ideas you can try, right on campus:
Be active in class
Proactively make small talk with others in the class. You can discover common ground such as similar interests (hiking, cryptocurrency, etc.) and even the same life values. These chats can then lead to further conversations outside the classroom—and new friendships.
Additionally, seek out classmates whose interests and academic goals match yours. For example, you can find classmates who share your passion for effective communication. You can tell them that you’re interested in improving your communication skills and ask them to give you feedback—you might get to hear their experiences and insights and make yourself new buddies.
And, of course, participate enthusiastically in discussions, group projects, and other in-class activities. You are more likely to be noticed by your classmates this way. They could see you as a valuable team member and want to get to know you more.
Attend Events
Whether it’s joining game nights, networking workshops, or other gatherings, you get to broaden your social circle in a relaxed and casual environment: you will meet and connect with new people from various backgrounds and cultures.
So, it’s essential to keep an eye out for upcoming campus events and attend as many as you can. You never know whom you’ll meet and which friendships you’ll cultivate.
Participate in Clubs
and Other Organizations
You can choose from more than 50 BCIT student clubs (check bcitsa.ca/clubs), encompassing a variety of fields. You can explore membership opportunities such as sports teams, academic groups, and cultural societies. Whatever your hobbies, there is almost certainly an organization that will meet your interests and needs.
Through engaging in group activities and events, you can foster camaraderie and long-lasting connections. Plus, you can develop your leadership abilities, grow your career, and partake in activities that align with your goals and values. All these can contribute to an enhanced college experience.
Join Online Groups
If you want to stay in the loop and be part of a virtual BCIT community, be sure to check out related online platforms like Discord servers and Facebook groups. These can provide a quick and easy way to meet new people, especially if you have a hectic schedule. You get to connect with other students and gain valuable information that can keep you informed of the latest news and updates from the school.
Once you’ve joined a group, interact with others: participate in discussions by sharing your thoughts, asking questions, and being open to new ideas and perspectives. By actively participating, you can build relationships with other students, even if you haven’t met them in person yet.
But even though meeting people virtually can be a convenient way to communicate without the constraints of time or location, relying solely on this may impede meaningful connections with others. Try to meet with your buddies in person whenever possible. While this might be more time-consuming and require travel, this allows you to bond more deeply on a personal level and pick up nonverbal cues unobservable in virtual environments.
Volunteer
Volunteering on campus is a great way to collaborate and form friendships with people possessing beliefs and interests similar to yours. In addition, you can give back to your community and make a difference. Various opportunities are available: becoming a BCIT Global Education Ambassador, joining the BCITSA student executive board, and diving into many others that give you a chance to support campus events and organizations.
Get a Job
Working is a wonderful opportunity to mingle: you get to regularly engage with other students, faculty, and staff, and this can help you create friendships. You can then make those connections last by staying friendly and approachable to your co-workers.
Job boards are available from the BCIT Student Association (bcitsa.ca/employment) and
BCIT (bcit.ca/workplace-education/ejobs). You can find openings that match your passions. For example, if you are interested in improving the student life experience at BCIT, a good option would be to work as a Student Life Ambassador.
Moreover, having a job means earning extra and gaining valuable work experience: you can build transferable skills in teamwork, communication, and time management. It might also pose excellent chances to engage with professionals in your sector and learn about potential career paths.
Embrace Dorm Life
If you’re living on campus, your dorm is likely where you’ll primarily spend your time outside of class. To make the most of your dorm life, attend social events and activities hosted in residence, like movie evenings and group outings. This can be a great way to connect with your fellow residents.
Another tip is to hang around in shared areas like the lounge and the kitchen, as these spaces are intended for residents to socialize, which means they can be excellent places to strike up conversations with others and make friends.
Stepping out of your comfort zone and engaging yourself with others can help you thrive both academically and personally, as well as enrich your college experience. Remember, building friendships takes time and effort, so be patient and persistent, and don’t forget to enjoy the journey.
