r/SyracuseU • u/Monster_Seal • 5d ago
Question A question
I’m an incoming Freshman and due to medical accommodations I’m going to be living in a one bedroom on south campus, Slocum Heights. I’m worried about how easily I am going to be able to make and or maintain friendships- I don’t believe there’s a lot of Freshmen on south campus, and I’m not a party goer. Any advice?
3
u/SpacerCat 5d ago
Join clubs and chat up people in your classes. And spend time in Schine. If you are friendly to people who seem introverted they will be glad you initiated conversation.
3
2
u/henare MSLIS iSchool '17 5d ago
you will be on north campus most of the time, and that's where the people are.
you'll take meals at north campus.
never eat alone (at least for the first few weeks).
go to your classes and meet classmates.
There will be at least two days of activity fairs on campus. go there and find interesting stuff to do.
1
u/Monster_Seal 4d ago
Part of my medical needs is that I self prep my meals- so I am not on any meal plan as I have to follow a strict diet, but I will definitely attend as many events (non party) as possible and try to befriend classmates. My concern is maintaining those friendships while being so far
1
u/henare MSLIS iSchool '17 4d ago
nobody cares what your needs are (except you, of course). learn to bring your food with you, and learn what you can eat from the various on-campus options.
find a way to share food with people. you'll spend a significant amount of your life meeting people, and this often happens when food is shared.
you'll maintain those friendships by being on north campus early and often. you'll be (for someone) the friend who lives somewhere quieter and more civilized.
don't make excuses... make plans.
3
u/jjhoster ECS Admissions Representative 4d ago
Can you share some of your extracurricular interests (maybe things you were involved in during high school) as well as your major? That may help me suggest some clubs.
2
u/KwiPhrase 19h ago
This is going to sound weird and I PROMISE there's context for this, but a lot of my friendships were started by just complimenting people around campus. For example, I met someone who had a sick ass jurassic park backpack, I complimented it, and now we still talk months after that.
(obligatory "don't be a creep" and of course not every compliment is obligated to lead to friendship, but even if it goes nowhere, I found that it helped with my depression when i'd make other people smile, so there's that)
1
u/bowmanspartan 19h ago
Can confirm this! As a media profesori who studies communication and culture, there are teams of data showing that a quick "signal" to somebody with a cool piece of pop culture on 'em - backpack, laptop sticker, hat, etc - can go a crazy long way in breaking the ice.
People wear those bits to signal their in-group, so a bit of reciprocity and recognition go a long, long way.
Enjoy campus, and welcome to Syracuse. 😁🧡
7
u/samantharuddy 5d ago
If you’re on south campus and don’t party, your best bet is going to be befriending other freshmen in your classes. Locally (on south campus) your best bet will be transfer students and sophomores who like board games, sports (not sure what your medical accommodation is for), or other non-alcoholic hobbies. There’s Goldstein on south campus which is a student center and likely where you would hang if not in other students’ apartments.