Four Ways to Make Friends at School

Are you afflicted with a crippling condition called “shyness? Here are some tips for you.

Looking to expand your friend-base, but afflicted with a crippling condition called “shyness?”

Every school presents an incredible chance to reach out to a network of people; perhaps the best you’ll ever have. So let’s try not to waste this time. Here are a few tips on how to meet new people without stepping too far out of your comfort zone.

1. Make the first move

Isolating yourself isn’t going to help anything. Try to get in the habit of talking to the people sitting next to you in class every day. If you hit it off and share a laugh, great, expand on that. If you don’t hit it off, at least you’ve gained more social practice.

2. Join clubs or sports

Many people don’t feel like they can meet people, because they don’t have any interests—club based ones anyways. You might feel a bit leery about joining a club by yourself, but don’t. A lot of people use these clubs and rec leagues to meet people.

3. Study and work less in your room

If you need to surround yourself in quiet for a big paper, by all means lock yourself away. But if you’re working on something smaller and less focus-oriented, try working in the library, lunchroom or student lounge.

4. Build on what you already have

If you have a roommate, reach out to their friends. Or if you have a casual nodding acquaintance you see every day, strike up a conversation. Relating to people you “sorta” know will always be easier than total strangers.