With the start of a new semester comes a wave of new students, and as one of those new students, I can say that one of my biggest worries has been how to meet “my people.” I know that obviously, I’ll meet fellow classmates here and there, but I want to make the connections that everyone talks about: The ones that result in trustworthy friends who last a lifetime. So if you’re a nervous freshman like me, or even just someone trying to figure out how to meet these people, you’re in luck! I’ve spent the last few weeks both on and off campus figuring out the easiest way for you to meet your people.
Without a doubt, the easiest way to find people is to explore the different clubs and organizations at your school. Just recently, our school hosted its annual Flock Party, where groups of all sizes advertise their club or society. As per our peer leaders, Flock Party is single-handedly the easiest way to figure out what your interests are and who you share those interests with. It also helps that Stevens is an incredibly diverse school, with organizations that cover almost every base from smaller interests like snowboarding to bigger groups like student government or cultural communities.
While not necessary, joining cultural groups or organizations affiliated with your major can be an extremely straightforward way to make friends due to the nature of your shared background or academic interests. Many of the sororities and fraternities we have on campus are geared towards some part of your identity, and Greek Life can be a great way to become friends with a large group of people and create a “family” of sorts on campus. This sort of family bond amongst classmates is also extremely prevalent amongst sports teams, so whether it’s intramural or varsity, having any kind of sports team to belong to really fosters that connection between you and everyone else on that team.
While all these ways to connect seem simple enough, going out and participating in all of these things can be easier said than done. Many people just aren’t in the mood to be super involved, or some of us are commuters, and that’s okay! Sometimes it’s as simple as sitting next to someone who looks nice in your class. Most times, you won’t be able to meet your people through those three-hour-long lectures you have, but just talking to the classmate next to you can be a solid way to make some decent friends and introduce yourself anyway.
If you struggle to find connections or common ground with any clubs or associations here on campus, try DuckLink or see if those groups have an Instagram page! It’s a much easier and more organized way of keeping track of when everyone meets and what their group is all about, which will make it easier to decide whether or not that community is right for you. Above all else, remember that what matters most is being true to yourself. Find the things that make you happy, and then go from there.
