How to Make Connections in College

Juliana Zambrano '24, bachelor's in business administration with a concentration in project management

Whether you’re studying online or on campus, making connections can improve more than just your college experience. It could enhance your overall quality of life.

“Building a community with other students can be motivating, can provide opportunities to have some ‘break time’ from academics and can just provide space to interact with others with similar interests,” said Chantel Freeman, an associate director of student involvement, events and communication at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

If you’re feeling alone, Freeman said to try getting involved outside of your coursework to find opportunities to meet new people.

“The more students that choose to engage, the more vibrant and dynamic our SNHU community is, and we hope to see as many learners as possible interacting and connecting in all the ways available to them,” she said.

Why is Social Connection Important?

Because people are social animals, connection is a basic human need, according to the CDC. Being socially connected can even offer health benefits, the CDC reports, including:

• A longer lifespan
• Improved ability to manage stress, depression and anxiety
• Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia

Beyond those impacts, finding emotional support can also ground you and build your confidence.

“Community provides support on the hard days, amps up the celebration on the good days, and it can make learning just a little easier to manage knowing you have a community around you who understands you, cheers you on and supports you,” Freeman said.

How to Make Friends as a College Student

Think of making friends in college as a journey. It doesn’t tend to happen all at once, but the more you put yourself out there and try to connect with others, the more likely you are to find your people. You might even surprise yourself along the way — like Ted Akonor ’25 did.

Akonor earned a degree in graphic design on campus at SNHU, and when he started his degree, he said he was shy and nervous about finding friends.

“I didn’t know if I was going to make any friends along the way; it was really scary,” he said. “But now I can make friends, I’m actually less shy than I was before day one, which is really great. People call me a social butterfly.”

Here are 3 ways you could try to make friends as a college student:

Attend School Events

Many schools host events where you can socialize and meet people, like homecoming celebrations or sporting events.

There are plenty of ways to get involved as an online student, too, including attending virtual conferences and webinars. You could even attend an in-person meetup, if there's one near you. Freeman said that in areas with high numbers of online students, SNHU often hosts regional gatherings.

“We send out invitations to those in the area welcoming them to meet us, and more importantly, connect with each other,” she said. “We hear from students and alumni all the time after these events who let us know how much more connected they feel to SNHU and their local SNHU community, and how much these events mean to them.”

Connect Through Your Courses

Whether in the classroom on campus or in your virtual discussion boards as an online student, your courses could offer you a chance to connect with your peers. Maybe you could form a study group and make friends that way. Otherwise, you might just meet someone with similar interests and make plans — whether they be local or virtual.

Join Clubs and Organizations

Clubs and organizations can be a great way to meet people and make friends who have similar interests. Most college campuses offer a variety of groups, and many schools with online programs, like SNHU, host online learning communities where students can build connections, too.

“Getting involved in activities beyond the classroom definitely enhances your college experience,” Freeman said. “We encourage students to explore their wide and far-reaching community filled with other online students all over the country and world that are just like them, all only a few clicks away.”

How to Build a Network in College

Building connections goes beyond making friends. It can also mean focusing on professional networking.

That could include:

• Connecting with your instructors
• Growing your LinkedIn presence
• Reaching out to your alumni network to make connections

Many colleges also allow you to participate in internships, work-study positions and opportunities to get leadership experience, which may introduce you to mentors or other professional connections.

“What kinds of skills, experiences, and connections would you like to have by the time you graduate?" Freeman said. "Begin with that end in mind, and it will guide and direct your attention.”

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.