How to make life long friends in college

There are plenty of great reasons to go to college. It’s a chance to live independently, study something you’re passionate about, and prepare yourself for adult life. That’s not all though. A lot of people look to college as somewhere they can make friends for life, and with good reason. You’re surrounded by so many people your own age there that it’s inevitable you’ll become close with some of them. How do you make sure they become your BFFs, though?

Make the right connections

It’s pretty easy to make friends at college. All you have to do is show up to a party and you walk away with half a dozen new mates. Of course, these kinds of connections don’t tend to last very long. That’s why it’s good to focus on bonding with the people on your course or who live in your dorm. The more time you naturally get to spend together, the better. That way, you’ll quickly learn whether or not they’re someone you can see yourself still talking to after graduation.

Join a club

Following on from this, it might be a good idea to join clubs that you’re passionate about. These are excellent places to make friends because you know that everyone there shares your interests. Sure, you might not like all the same stuff, but at the very least you have one thing in common. Sometimes, that one thing is all you need to make lifelong friends with someone.

Pick those that push you

Lasting friendships require more than just shared interests. You want to surround yourself with people who will always push you to be better and strive for greatness. You can find plenty of those in college; it might just take some time to find them. As reassuring as it might be to have people-pleasers around you, it’s not always what it’s cracked up to be.

The power of praise

Of course, while you want someone who stands their ground and tells you things you don’t always like hearing, you also want a friend who celebrates your accomplishments. Someone who gets just as excited, if not more so, about your achievements is exactly what you need. Try congratulating people when they get good grades and see if they return the favor. It might seem small, but it’s a great way of working out if someone truly wants the best for you or not.

Open your mind

People from all different walks of life go to college. You’re never be surrounded by more diversity than when you become a student, and it’s important to embrace that. Restricting who you interact with could actually stop you from finding lifelong friends while you’re there, so try and broaden your horizons. Even if your opinions clash with someone else’s, be respectful and listen to what they have to say. You never know when opposites might attract.

Give what you want to get

If you want to make lifelong friends at college, it’s a good idea to treat people the way you want to be treated. That’s true for any friendship really. People aren’t going to show you kindness if you’re always rude to them, so think before you speak. Decide what qualities you’re looking for in a friend, and express them around other people. You might be amazed by the outcome.
There are so many students at college waiting to become your lifelong friend. You just have to put in the effort to find them.