College is full of moments that can spark new friendships — the student who shares your sense of humor in lecture, the roommate who turns into a late-night confidant, or the person you meet at intramural dodgeball who becomes your favorite study partner. Still, making friends doesn’t always happen easily. Explore ways to build friendships and discover campus spaces where you can start connecting with others.
Start small. It really counts! Friendship often begins with small gestures – saying hi to someone in your residence hall, chatting with someone before class, or asking a teammate about their favorite spot to eat in town. Those quick moments add up and can grow into lasting connections.
It’s okay if this feels hard. Many students experience social anxiety or uncertainty in new settings. You’re not alone if you feel nervous attending events or introducing yourself to someone new. Start with situations that feel manageable for you and celebrate each small step.
Be yourself, no edits required. You don’t have to change who you are to fit in. The best friendships happen when you show up as your authentic self – quirks and all. You’ll find people who appreciate you for exactly who you are, not who you think you’re supposed to be.
Find your spaces on campus. Connection happens naturally when you’re in places that match your interests or energy.
- If you’re hoping to connect with other students who get you, check out the Beavers Belong Support Network. Their welcoming groups are designed to help students feel supported while building community and belonging through shared conversations.
- If you like being active, try joining an intramural or club sport, or drop in for a casual game at Dixon Recreation Center.
- If you love creating with your hands, the Craft Center is full of workshops where you can meet other makers.
- The Cultural Resource Centers offer welcoming spaces for students to build community, find belonging, and learn about other cultures.
- Looking to give back? Volunteering through Community Engagement & Leadership helps you meet people who care about the same causes you do.
- You can also explore student clubs and organizations across nearly every interest imaginable. There are over 400 student clubs at OSU and if you don’t find one that’s right for you, you can even propose your own.
- Free Film Fridays at PRAx are an easy way to relax and connect with others who like a low-key night out.
Share a little about yourself. People feel closer to you when you reveal what you care about. Share at a pace that feels right for you. Mention your favorite hobby or the last show you binge watched. Authenticity, even in small amounts, invites connection.
Be curious about others. Ask questions and listen with interest. You don’t have to be the funniest or most outgoing person in the room. Thoughtful listening makes people feel valued.
Plan micro-goals for social situations. Before you go to an event, choose one simple goal, like talking to one person, staying for 20 minutes, or smiling and making eye contact with someone new. When you accomplish the goal, give yourself credit. Confidence is built by stacking positive moments.
Make plans and invitations. Friendships take root when there are repeated touchpoints. Suggest a regular study meetup, a weekly dining hall meal, or a quick check-in before class.
Keep showing up. Many friendships build slowly through proximity, laughter, and mutual support. Keep showing up – to the club, the pickup game, the study group, or that craft workshop you liked. Familiar faces become friendly ones, and friendly ones become friends. Give relationships time to develop without pressuring yourself to find your “perfect people” right away.
Rest and recharge your social battery. Even extroverts get tired. If socializing drains you, take time to recharge and set boundaries. Healthy friendships grow best when you take care of yourself, too.
Remember, you’re not the only one looking. Most people you pass on campus have their own version of “I wish I had more friends.” It just takes one moment of courage, one conversation, or one shared laugh to turn that wish into connection.
Making friends in college isn’t about having a huge circle. It’s about finding the people who make you laugh and feel seen. Whether that happens over a shared hobby, a quiet movie night, or a quick conversation in your residence hall, each connection matters. Wherever you start, know that belonging here is possible, and you don’t have to look for it alone.