Frosh Convos: Loneliness
Many students start college without knowing anyone else. With so many young people around, making friends seems easy enough . . . but it often doesn’t work out that way. Once the orientation activities are over and the newness wears off, some students start to feel like everyone else has friends but they don’t. If you are trying to support your student through a tough time, and are in the position to make some suggestions, here are a few ideas:
Join a club! Students can access a list of registered campus organizations through their university portals (many schools do not have this information on their public website, so your student will need to do the exploring). Encourage your student to find a club that is interesting to them and accessible to all (meaning, no tryouts, interviews, auditions, etc.). Clubs can be all about a common interest (Star Wars clubs are a mainstay at many schools), academically focused, service oriented, affiliated with a faith tradition, focused on ethnic identification, etc. etc. etc. The possibilities are endless.
Volunteer! There are different ways students can volunteer. For example, student government organizations often rely on student volunteers to help with large events, which is a great way to meet people. Many schools also offer community service opportunities, where students can sign up to volunteer in the surrounding community in various ways. Some of these opportunities may be a one day event and others ongoing. Serving others while working alongside fellow students is also a great way to meet people.
Visit the Rec Center! Student Rec Centers offer more than workout equipment. Students can sign up for classes and learn new things along with others. These opportunities will be available on the Rec Center’s website or posted at the Rec Center.
Study! Some tutoring centers or student success centers offer group workshops, and this can be a good way to start. Taking the initiative to form a study group - or joining one that already exists - is also a great way to get to know people outside of class.
Get a job! Part-time jobs are one of the best ways to get to know others. On-campus jobs are particularly good because they accommodate student schedules. Whether it is in the library, at a residence hall desk, or at the campus coffee shop, jobs are a great way to establish friendships with fellow students.
Authentic friendships take time to form, and encouraging your student through hard times will help them stay engaged and find belonging.