Making friends & Getting involved

A lot of new students entering college for the first time may feel the pressure of making friends or “finding their people,” and this can prove to be a daunting task. But it doesn’t need to be! There’s no need to worry if you find yourself feeling a little lonely after starting at UGA as many other people will be in a similar position. It is not out of the ordinary to feel this way and you will have plenty of time and opportunities to meet people. The University of Georgia is such a large school and community in Athens, with so many different types of people, so you're bound to find someone to connect with if you make even the smallest effort. The first friends you usually make after moving in is your roommates. If you are looking to make quick friends you might want to consider a 5 bedroom apartment, although two bedroom apartments are just as good. 

Making Friends Through Classes

Making Friends at UGA

A great way to make friends or even just acquaintances is by connecting with people through your classes. If initiating conversation is something that you find difficult, that’s okay! Sometimes all it takes is eye contact and a friendly smile. You could also start a conversation by asking someone about the coursework, and you may end up with someone in the class that you can rely on or even study with. In addition, compliments are a great way to start a conversation. Saying something like, “I like your shoes, where did you get them?” can jumpstart a conversation, and even if it doesn’t end in a friendship, you’ll still have a familiar face that you can talk to in class. A lot of classes will even have group chats on GroupMe that you can connect with your classmates through, so if talking in person makes you too nervous, you can always message people through there. 

Clubs and Organizations at UGA

UGA has well over 700 clubs and organizations that are free for students to join! You’re likely to find a club that suits at least one of your interests. Joining clubs or organizations is an amazing way to meet like-minded people and make friends. If you are unsure how to narrow down which club(s) to join, UGA holds an involvement fair on campus each semester where you can meet and talk to members of different clubs. You can also access the full list of clubs and organizations online, along with their descriptions and contact information, through the UGA Involvement Network.

Greek Life

Greek Life culture at UGA is huge and a great way to make friends. One of the foundational purposes of Greek organizations is to bring people together through community. There are over 60 Greek life organizations from 4 councils at UGA, so you have a lot of options. Before even getting into a sorority or fraternity, it's likely that you’ll meet a lot of people through rushing–the process of getting to know the different organizations and choosing which one to join. Once you’re in a sorority or fraternity, a lot of them will pair new members up with an already established member to act as a mentor for them. In addition, Greek organizations will hold many social events throughout the course of the semesters, giving you plenty of opportunity to make friends.

It is understandable to feel a little pressure when it comes to making friends at the University of Georgia. But it's always good to remember that many people are in the exact same boat as you, even if it doesn’t seem like it. If you make a small effort to put yourself out there and be yourself, you will find people to connect with.

 

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