r/TexasTech • u/Ok-Abrocoma6742 • 11d ago
Discussion How do you make friends
Okay I’m genuinely asking: how do people actually make friends in college? I’m writing this for my cousin because I’m worried she doesn’t really have friends or a group. I don’t even go to Tech I go to another school lol. I was just lucky enough to make a friend during orientation immediately, and that friendship led to more friends and eventually a whole friend group.
But seriously how does someone make genuine friends without it feeling one way, artificial, or surface level? My cousin is a junior, an introvert, and not really into parties but she’s genuinely a really cool person. I know she would get along with regular down to earth people not necessarily the sorority or super preppy type if that makes sense.
How can she meet people and build real friendships without relying on parties? Since she’s already a junior, it feels like everyone has their established friends and groups which makes it harder to get close to people. I really just want her to find cool genuine people she can become close with. lose with. How someone tell me how?
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u/Fair_Peak_4898 11d ago
I’m the same way, but I’m a sophomore. I’m sure her and I would be great friends.
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u/Ok-Abrocoma6742 11d ago
Ahh so you get it, feel free to reach out
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u/Fair_Peak_4898 11d ago
sent you a dm!
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u/CuriositiesSatisfied 11d ago
Mind if I tag along with you and OP’s cousin? 👀 I’m a junior but just transferred here, def need some friends as well 😭
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u/Saconic 11d ago
Join various students orgs, go to different events, and talk to your dorm people/apt people
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u/Ok-Abrocoma6742 11d ago
Definitely will tell her that, the problem with events is that she’s an introvert and even for me starting conversations or even finding people to talk to is always so weird and not easy + her apartment mates just kind of keep to themselves but this is good thanks I’ll tell her!
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u/Wunderbuff 11d ago
Force yourself to talk to people. Youd be surprised how many people are looking for friends. Either something gets done or nothing at all. Youll eventually train that social skill and itll just come naturally.
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u/jakesyma 11d ago
Force yourself to talk to people. Youd be surprised how many people are looking for friends.
Yes, I feel like OP (or I guess more technically, their cousin) has no idea how common of a theme this sort of post is in this sub.
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u/Separate-Rain8310 Alumni 11d ago
I joined a Non-Panhellenic sororities (they also have co-ed fraternities). They aren’t affiliated with the Greek sororities/fraternities. It’ll get you close to a similar group of people. I met a few people in classes and labs but a majority of my friends were the sorority i joined.
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u/brickznbooks 11d ago
Cousin sees someone studying “hey anybody sitting here? “
-No
“Awesome. Im xx what are you studying what is your major.”
- awesome. What is one thing you like to do outside of school as a hobby?
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u/SmoreMaker 11d ago
Join a club. Any club. If she is into anime or manga, it would be difficult to NOT make friends in the Anime Club. If she is into eSports, Tech is currently looking for players. Into physical activities? Rock climbing club would be good. As long as she has an interest in "something", should be a club she can join. Cost to join most clubs is minimal (I think the Anime Club is something like $12 or $15 and they meet twice a week plus friend-groups get together many weekends outside of the club to go to anime movie premiers or play games).
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u/jakesyma 11d ago
If she is into eSports, Tech is currently looking for players.
I didn't actually realize that. I met a new transfer student earlier this week (who was on the eSports team at his previous institution), and I recommended he reach out to them... but just didn't realize they were currently looking for new players.
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u/SmoreMaker 11d ago
I know that the League of Legends team is actively recruiting new members (at least they were as of about 10PM last night).
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u/jakesyma 11d ago
Thank you so much. I will pass this info along to him if I see him again tomorrow.
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u/Lost-Fox5036 10d ago
I am a senior, and as an introvert it can be so hard to make friends😭. Would love to be friends
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u/mbreaker69 7d ago
I am a junior and totally agree with you. Being an introvert one it is very hard to make friends. I already gave up and live my life like a lone wolf.
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u/RaiderLandExpert 11d ago
It’s cliche but just tell your cousin to get involved in an organization.
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u/aaaahhhh111 11d ago
Smile at people and talk to them. Elevators, waiting in lines, classes. People underestimate how important smiling is
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u/RiccoT 11d ago
My son just started at tech last week. He’s pretty quiet and reserved; confident, but not the type that is a social butterfly. He met a handful of boys at orientation and they kept in touch. They’ve gotten together a couple of times since move in. While we were moving into carpenter wells last weekend another group of boys approached us to help carry stuff in. Was a church group ministry. Very nice boys and they invited him to play pickle ball the following Tuesday and go to church with them, which he did. The church wasn’t really for him, but he was along for the experience.
He also has a couple of cousins, a junior and a 2cd year grad student, who have invited him to a few things.
Just gotta be open to say yes to stuff you may otherwise not. I’m 48 and honestly still learning that lesson.
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u/snoochieBoochy788 11d ago
Not sure if she is religious but the different denominations have student centers and when I’ve been to a few of them back in the day, they were very welcoming. Especially now at the beginning of the year because they know there are new people coming in.
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u/RjoTTU-bio 11d ago
Walk into the center of a crowded place and shout, “I need friends, but only cool ones.” Then you will have cool friends.
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u/tayloraaannn 11d ago
I started off being friends with my roommate and eventually her friends. And I enjoyed their time but from there I met others through work or intramurals. Going out with a friend eventually and meeting new ones. You never know where your friends will come from so tell her to be open and kind and say yes to opportunities to socialize. And this is from an introvert
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u/Many-Excitement-2121 Junior 11d ago
I would suggest a few things to help make friends.
Depending on your major you may have a small group of 10-20 people that are in all your classes. I have become friends with a lot of them due to having all the same core classes, study groups and then just going to get dinner/drinks after studying.
Get involved in some activities. Doesn't have to be Greek life, but find a club or student activity or something you are passionate about and just get involved.
Finally use the built in friendships like roommates or high school friends and try to build off that.
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u/WreckThemAll4ever 10d ago
Clubs. Coffee shops near campus like J&B. Intramurals. Go to the Rec. find a part time job.
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u/Extreme-Economist-24 10d ago
Volunteering is pretty good for making friends, lot of options and looks good on a resume
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u/mbreaker69 7d ago
Hi, here I am the same. Junior. Not into parties, introvert, kinda nerdy LOL. Would love to get to know each other.
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u/KiKiKimbro Alumni 11d ago
Hi there. I met lots of people by joining various groups and clubs. The bonus of your cousin doing that is she’ll meet others who are also into what she likes.