Advice Column: Making Friends

By Angela Pender
Staff Writer

Making friends is not the easiest thing to do especially when you are new to school and don’t know anyone.

It takes time to open up to someone when you’re new, and it can feel like it’s the end of the world if you’re a shy person.

Although it may feel impossible, making friends is very possible it’s all about how you apply yourself.

For starters, you can join a club or activity. Joining a club is an easy way to make friends because you already share a common interest– and that’s the club that you joined.

Let’s face it, you wouldn’t have joined the club if you didn’t like it, so meeting new people there should be fun and exciting not as scary and nerve racking.

Another great place to meet friends is at your job. Your coworkers could be the best people and you would never know unless you speak to them.

It can start off with a common hatred for your boss or an inside joke. Friendships could blast off from there.

If you love to work out, but don’t have anyone to workout with, then a gym buddy is just what you need.

By playing basketball or even going to one of the group fitness classes can help build a friendship because what better way to meet a friend is a person who you can relieve stress with.

Believe it or not your best friend could be sitting next to you in class. By making friends in class, you can not only find a study buddy, but a person who can relate to if you’re both struggling in class.

You can find other common interest and maybe even help one another out if one person is stronger in another subject.

Once you meet new people, don’t be afraid to meet them outside the event.

Hanging with the person outside the activity can stronger the relationship because you get to know them more personally and actually see if it is a person you can trust.

It’s okay to be scared at first, but in time a beautiful friendship will blossom.

Email Angela at:
apender1@live.esu.edu