A guide to making friends on campus

As a student, sometimes it might feel like everyone else has an easier time making friends, but you’re not alone. A 2024 survey of over 1,000 U.S. college and university students found that almost two-thirds of them feel lonely. Busy schedules and part-time jobs make it harder for students to balance academics with a social life, and it often feels right to prioritize responsibilities over time with friends. In university, big lecture halls can feel overwhelming compared to smaller classrooms where connections with your peers come more naturally. Conversations end once the lecture begins, and many students move on to their next class.  

Making friends sounds simple, but it’s not easy. It’s a process that requires effort, time, and commitment. If you don’t know where to start, here is a quick guide for how you can make friends on campus. 

Join a club 

Joining a club is one of the best ways to meet new people and build connections outside the classroom. You could sign up for ten different clubs at once, but it’s a good idea to start with a few you’re really interested in, then join more afterwards. It’s never too late to join a club. If you missed fall’s clubs week, you can still go to any club event to sign up. Browse over 300 clubs here.  

Attend events and workshops 

Speed-friending events create a safe and easy environment for new friendships to form. Student Wellness Services and Centre for Career & Personal Development host speed-friending events from time to time, which is a good opportunity to make new friends and build your social skills. Events like these give you an easy way to connect with people who share similar interests. View upcoming speed-friending events here. 

Volunteer 

There are always plenty of volunteer opportunities at the University of Calgary. Volunteering not only lets you gain experience that will look good on your resume, but it's also a great way to be involved on campus and meet someone new. Below is a list of volunteer opportunities.  

• Volunteer for the Campus Food Hub
• UCalgary Student’s Union
• Open House
• Campus Tour Leader
• Recruitment Photoshoots
• Some clubs also offer volunteer opportunities, such as The Mustard Seed, Birthday Wishes, and Origami-Aid.

Take the initiative 

Approach people even if it makes you uncomfortable. You might not have a lot of friends, but you probably know plenty of people. Sometimes, you may find yourself only talking to someone during lectures. Take the initiative and ask them to hangout after classes or on the weekends. These are the easiest people you can connect to since you already know them, and you might end up with a new lasting friendship!  

It’s important to remember that friendship requires effort from both sides, thus it’s also important to choose your friends wisely.