College Tips

Eight tips to help you create new friendships as a freshman in college

Starting college can feel like stepping into the unknown—especially when it comes to figuring out how to make friends in college. If you're wondering how to make friends as a freshman in college or even how to make friends as an introvert, you're not alone. It's totally normal to feel nervous about meeting new people or unsure where to begin.

The good news? You're surrounded by potential friendships—you just need a few ways to break the ice. Whether you're keeping your dorm room door open, joining a club, or simply looking up from your phone more often, small steps can lead to real connections.

If you’re wondering how long does it take to make friends in college, the answer varies—but these eight simple tips can help you make meaningful connections right from the start.

We asked UW-La Crosse students in the Leadership and Involvement Center to share their best tips on how to make friends, and they provided these eight tips.

1. Open your dorm room door.

If you live in the residence halls on campus, keep your door open when you're in your room. This invites the potential that someone might stop in to say, “hello.” And don't be afraid to stop by someone else's room if they have their door open.

2. Join a club or organization.

Universities have clubs, organizations, athletics, theater performances and many more ways to join groups or participate in events. Look for ways to learn about these activities on campus whether through introductory campus events, the university's website, or social media. UWL students can get involved in these ways:

• Go to Involvement Fest and Campus Activities Board events early in the semester
• Find a student organization to join on MyOrgs
• Follow the university’s social media — Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok
• Visit UWL’s events page that showcases many upcoming public lectures, gatherings, athletic events, concerts, theatre performances and more

3. Make the most of residence hall living.

Take advantage of groups in your residence hall, planned activities and hang out in common residence hall spaces. Consider living options that may match your interests and help you form common bonds. UWL students can choose to live in a Living Learning Community, environments that allow students to make social connections by engaging with peers around shared educational experiences. And, don’t forget that residence hall staff can help. 

4. Get involved in recreation and intramural sports.

Check out what your university offers for recreation and fitness. UWL's Recreational Eagle Center (REC) offers plenty of opportunities to connect with students while being active through activities such as intermural sports, fitness classes, group outdoor trips and more. 

5. Connect in classes.

Talk to people in classes and create study groups. In many college classes, you can choose where to sit—so don’t isolate yourself in the back corner. Instead, sit near others to create chances for casual conversation. Some of your strongest friendships might start with a simple chat before class begins.

Also, consider arriving a few minutes early, which can open the door for small talk, helping you get to know your classmates and find common ground. 

6. Explore campus offices of interest.

Expand your comfort zone and check out offices and spaces that speak to you across campus. UWL has offices that serve a variety of students such as the Pride Center, Student Support Services, Multicultural Student Services and more. 

7. Apply for on-campus jobs.

On-campus jobs are great ways to connect with the campus and learn more, not to mention connect to a resource and help other students. And the extra money isn’t bad either! 

8. Look around — not down at your phone.

Put your phone away when walking around campus, so you can face the world, smile at people, say "hello," and take in the experiences around you. Now stop reading and try some of these tips!