Tips for Building Your Circle At Miami
Let’s be real… college can be really overwhelming, especially if you haven’t found your friend circle yet. If that’s you, you’re not alone. A lot of students feel this way, even if you can’t tell by walking across campus. If you’re looking for ways to meet new people and find your circle, then you’re in luck. We asked Miami students on our Instagram to share some ideas for making new friends, and let me just say they did NOT disappoint!
Join A Student Organization
Whether you’re new on campus or you know your way around the block, it’s never too late to get involved on campus! Joining a student organization is such a great way to meet new people with similar interests to you. Not only is it a great way to make new friends, but it also allows you to have some more familiar faces around campus, which is always a bonus.
Find A Job
We know that finding a job doesn’t sound like the most fun way to make new friends, but it can be really effective. Not only does getting a job allow you to make new friends, but you are also earning an income, and possibly getting to add a line to your resume if you get a job on campus related to your major!
Leave Your Door Open
This is so simple, but trust me, it works! When you’re living in a residence hall, it’s such a great idea to leave your door open when you’re feeling social to let people come say hi!
Talk to the people in your classes
We know this may seem obvious, but it can be one of the best first steps to making new friends! There’s no guarantee that you’re going to find your life-long friends in your art class at 8:30 in the morning, but you never know if or when you may cross paths again! It’s a great idea to sit next to new people in your classes and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself, because it’s likely the students next to you are feeling the same way. Put yourself out there and you’ll be right on your way to making great new friends!
Form a Study Group
Talking to people in your classes can be beneficial to finding new friends, but sometimes those friendships seem to only stay in the classroom. Forming a study group can help you not only succeed in your classes, but it’ll also give you time to learn more about the people you’ve met and grow those friendships outside of the classroom! It doesn’t even have to be a formal study group; something as simple as “I was thinking about studying for the exam on Sunday night in Armstrong – would you want to come?” is all it takes!
Attend Events in Your Hall
When you get that email from your RA about a hall event, don’t ignore it! Your future best friend could be living right above or below you. Residence halls often have fun little events for you to mingle and get to know your neighbors, but you can also always hang out in the common area. Put on a good movie or TV show, and maybe you’ll spark a common interest with someone! Remember: everyone is going through the college experience for the first time, too!
If you’re a first-year or a fourth-year, it’s never too late to make new friends that could last a lifetime. An important thing to always remember is that you’re not alone, and someone is going through the same thing you are, just a seat away. So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and even be vulnerable to share how you’re feeling because someone is also feeling the same way, and you might just help them feel a little bit better. We hope these tips will help boost your chances of finding those people who will help build your circle here at Miami!
If your wanting even more tips for making new friends, then check out How to cultivate a sense of belonging on your campus from Miami’s Be-Well website!
Morgan Krugh | Class of 2027