It’s understandable if you’re anxious about heading off to college. The transition can be difficult for a number of reasons, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do to make it a little easier. No matter what your interests are, most universities are big enough that you’ll be able to find people who share them. You can even try experimenting with new hobbies or activities. For many people, trying new things is an essential part of the college experience. If you’re going to start college soon, keep reading to find out how you can find a community on campus.
How can you find your community in college?
Everyone worries about making friends when they head to college for the first time. It can be overwhelming, especially if you aren’t a naturally extroverted person. If you’re hoping to connect with new people or find a student community you can participate in, don’t waste any time. Most schools have some version of a welcome week or at least offer plenty of special events that are designed to help students get to know each other. You can socialize at other times, but these events are designed for getting to know your fellow students, so they can be a little less awkward.
You should also look for ways to find friends on campus who share your interests. Consider joining school clubs that interest you or inviting classmates to participate in activities you enjoy. For example, if you’re a religious person who attends a church in the area that you think your friends might enjoy, you can pass on a church brochure and invite them to attend a service with you. Providing a brochure is always best since your friends can make sure they’re interested in attending and comfortable with the church itself.
Don’t ignore the area surrounding your school either. You don’t have to limit your choices to activities that are available through your university. If you’re interested in theatre, look for opportunities to attend or audition for shows in cities that are close to your campus. Foodies can take advantage of tastings or visit the best restaurants in town. Whether you’re interested in books, physical fitness, art, or fine dining, the city you live in is likely to have plenty of entertainment options to consider.
What can you do to get accepted at your dream school?
With acceptance rates in the single digits for many elite universities, it’s understandable if you’re anxious about the college application process. Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do to give yourself a better chance of getting into your first-choice school. The most effective way to improve your chances is to work with a professional guidance counselor for college applications. A trained college counselor will have years of experience teaching students how to present themselves well and show schools exactly what they’re looking for.
One mistake many students make is signing up for a laundry list of extracurricular activities to build a lengthy list of achievements. However, it’s more impressive to demonstrate commitment to a few interests and hold leadership positions than to have a surface-level interest in a wide range of subjects. You can even look into starting some type of business or charitable endeavor, which can help you gain useful skills and improve your local community.
It may take some time to get comfortable in your new environment on campus, but that’s a normal part of any major life transition. Though it might make you nervous, it’s worth getting up the courage to attend some welcome-week events and join clubs that interest you. It may not seem like it, but plenty of students will be just as interested in making new friends as you are, and you should take advantage of opportunities to do so early on. No matter what approach you take, it’s always a good idea to get more involved in the community on campus and in the area surrounding your school if you want to make the most of your experience.
Leave a Reply