5 ways to make friends in college: post-pandemic

Group of college friends sitting during daytime post pandemic

Woah, What a time! After more than a year in quarantine and a worldwide pandemic, the world is finally opening back up and normalizing. Now more than ever, people are more open to socialize and make friends. Intentionally seeking out friendships is HARD! and no one is born a natural, so with that in mind, here are five ways to make friends in college post-pandemic.

1. Join Clubs and Extracurricular Activities Online

Is there something that you love to do? Get out of your comfort zone and join that extracurricular activity online. One optimistic thing about the pandemic is that many places such as; schools, jobs, and indoor activities were forced to learn to manage things more efficiently online. So why not join an extracurricular activity that you love online to meet people with similar interests on a more extensive and more efficient scale and keep the conversations flowing.

2. Go on a food date

Food has a symbolic meaning all around the world and brings people together in a more profound way. Put those pandemic cooking skills to work and try going on or planning a food date, getting old friends together with new friends, creating one big family, or even exploring dining halls alone and branching out and talking to others over food.

3. Use common areas within dormitories 

Now that the stay-at-home order is lifted, college dorms are back open, and students are back in person. One of the best ways to make friends in college post-pandemic is to attend social hours in your dorm’s shared spaces. Since these events are open to everyone within the dorms, you can meet a wide array of people and keep up with these close bonds because you’re nearby.

4. Join a group fitness class

people doing yoga during a group fitness class

Did you know that many universities offer group fitness courses with certified trainers? Keep away that freshman 15, stay active, and create a sense of community with fitness courses. The gym is a great way to make friends, lots of students have the same goal of staying active, and what’s a better way to keep busy than finding a designated workout partner and friend, knocking out two things at once.

5. Be open-minded!

If you could take one thing away from this blog, let it be this point! As the famous saying goes, “opposites attract,” so be sure to be open-minded. You never know who you mesh with if you don’t try, so don’t be picky; get to know everyone because the most fulfilling friendships are the most unexpected ones.

Welp, that’s all! Making friends can be scary and overwhelming at first, but get out there and make it a priority. With these five tips, you’re well on your way to creating friendships in college with ease. Good luck!