College is a time of learning, growth, and career advancement. If you plan on going away to school, it’s also a way to meet new people, network, and live with a roommate. This can all be done at commuter schools as well, so college is, ultimately, what you make of it.
Still, meeting new people in college is one of the best ways to make lifelong friends, meet your future spouse, or get ahead in the business world. Learn about how to meet people in college below.
Tips for Meeting New People in College
Before we dive into the best ways to meet new people in college, it’s important to cover some tips that can help you connect with people. These tips are simple, and we include some great conversation starters if you’re not used to meeting new people. These tips include:
- Asking people where they’re from
- Talk to another student about the class you’re taking together
- Bringing up movies, books, or TV shows
- If you’re in a new country and unfamiliar with the culture, ask about it or ask what a word means
- Talk about your major and ask about their major
- Ask about the food on campus
- Avoid asking questions that have yes or no answers
The last tip that we have is to verify the identity of people you meet in college. Whether you want to know if it’s safe to be around them or if you want to look into a potential roommate, the best way to do so is with a person search service. These tools can help you find anything that’s a public record about someone so you can verify any information they tell you.
Five Ways to Meet New People in College
College pairs you with other students, but that doesn’t always make it easy to meet and connect with people. Sure, you might be around other students, but you’re rarely forced to interact. Learn about the five best ways to meet new people in college below.
1. Attend Campus Events
Campus events are the best way to meet new people in college, especially if you just got there. Most campuses have events you can attend, and this applies to colleges you dorm at or even commute to. All you have to do is check the event board and visit any events that interest you. These events also don’t have to be educational. For example, one event might be live music or a club you have an interest in.
2. Get a Roommate
Getting a roommate is often the best way to meet someone in college. This is because it forces you to step outside your comfort zone and live with someone for a semester. In fact, even if you don’t commit to the dorm lifestyle, you can get a roommate off-campus. Most colleges will require you to have one if you live on campus, so it’s one of the easiest ways to meet new people. Plus, you can meet some of their friends and work together to meet new people.
3. Join a Fraternity or Sorority
You might not be able to do this during your freshman year, but if you want to meet new people fast, join a fraternity or sorority. When you join, you’ll meet dozens of people, and Greek life can help you network after college as well. Make sure you choose the right fraternity or sorority for you and attend events and gatherings to meet the most people.
4. Talk to People in Class
When meeting new people, you have to talk to them eventually, so why not start in class? You’ll be seated with people around you, so why not strike up a conversation in class? This can help you meet new people, and you can ask for their contact information to hang out with them after class. You can also start a study group with people in your class as well to meet even more people in college.
5. Dating Apps
Looking for love? Or perhaps a new friend? If you want to meet new people in college because you want to find your future spouse, or even if you want to start dating again, dating apps are one of the easiest ways to do it. There are plenty of apps to choose from, like Tinder or Bumble, and they pair you with people in your age group. Additionally, you can limit the search to your college campus. This will help you connect with other students on campus.
Meet New People in College Today
College is a jarring experience for some, especially if you don’t know anyone at the school. The good news is that other people are going through the same changes, and you can build a sense of camaraderie with the people you meet in college. So, what are you waiting for? Give some of our tips a try and experiment with other ways to find people in college.
