Tips for meeting new people at Binghamton University
College can be one of the most exciting and scary experiences in life. The ability to explore old interests and find new ones can get anyone excited to be at Binghamton University. However, one of the biggest challenges is meeting new people and forming new friendships. For some people making friends is easy and for others it can be stress inducing. Fortunately, there are approaches to make this process easier. So if you fall in the first category of people or the second category, here are a few tips to get anyone on the path to making friends at Binghamton University.
Engage with classmates
One of the easiest places to meet people is in your classes. Taking the same classes serves as a common ground between you and other students. By using this common ground, you can strike up conversations with the people next to you. Ask questions such as “why did you take this class,” “why did this professor stand out to you,” or “do you have any interests in other areas that are connected to the class?” These questions can serve as ice breakers to get to know your peers.
If striking up a conversation is too much, try asking people to form a study group for upcoming exams and quizzes. It can be a large group or just one person. Either way, having a study group can help form some bonds that may grow into a deeper friendship.
Attend events
Attending campus events can expose you to a multitude of people you never would have met otherwise. Binghamton University holds countless events that can connect you to people outside of your classes. So when University Fest, the Spring Involvement Fair and Spring Fling come around, try to get out there.
If these big events are too much for you, take a look at the B-engaged calendar — you may find smaller events that pique your interest. Maybe your school, such as the School of Management or Harpur College, is holding events for networking or for student organizations. If these types of events are not interesting, attending sporting events may bring you closer to people. The atmosphere of cheering on your school can be a bridge to the people around you.
Join student organizations and clubs
If you attended University Fest in the fall semester, you may have found clubs and organizations that interest you. Or maybe you found a club that interests you on B-Engaged. These clubs and organizations can all be a gateway to new people — people who have shared common interests. By exploring your interests with people who share those same passions, forming friendships is a natural next step. So take a look at the 450+ student clubs and organizations that Binghamton University offers. From the Cheese Club, to Club Sports, to big student-run organizations such as the Caribbean Student Association, there is a club and organization for everyone to explore the things they love, and it’s a great way to meet new people.
Residential Life
If you live on campus, connecting with the people that live in the same suite, residence hall and living community can be a great way to form friendships. Binghamton University has six living communities that each have their own lifestyle. Whether you live in Dickinson or College-in-the-Woods, each community has events that you can attend to meet the people.
If you don’t feel up to big community events, see if your building is hosting any events to connect people. The building you live in has many people you can try to reach out to — even on the same floor. Furthermore, if you are living with a roommate or suitemate you did not know before, try being friendly with them. Even if it doesn’t lead to a friendship, you may be introduced to other people in their friend group.
Use social media
If forming connections with people in person is overwhelming, connecting with students through social media may be a good place to start. Social media can facilitate more casual conversations and interactions compared to big University events, the classroom and general group gatherings. Media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat can be used to start conversations with people before meeting them in person. In addition, you can follow Binghamton student organizations and clubs to see what activities they hold on a regular basis. Binghamton University has a multitude of Discord servers and subreddits as well, which are online communities that can connect you with people.
Have a friendly mentality
The preceding tips are only half the picture on your journey to finding new friends; the other half is your mentality when it comes to meeting new people. Be approachable. Endless scrolling on your phone in group settings tells other people you may not want to be talked to. Raise your head, uncross your arms and wear a smile so people perceive you as welcoming. This change in perception may allow people to be more willing to strike up conversions with you.
Attending Binghamton University should be filled with great opportunities and the excitement of trying new things and meeting new people. Just remember that making new friends takes time and effort. It may not happen after meeting just one time. It may take multiple study group sessions, multiple times getting food together or multiple classes. Don’t be discouraged if every interaction doesn’t result in a close friendship; there are many opportunities to find people at Binghamton University. Stay true to yourself and have fun meeting new people on this diverse campus.
