Starting university or college can feel like stepping into a whole new world—exciting, a little overwhelming, and full of opportunity

When you’re in first year (or just looking to branch out), getting involved on campus is one of the best ways to make genuine connections and feel more at home. Here are 8 simple, low-pressure ways to get involved and start building your community.

1. Join clubs & organizations

Starting off easy: join a club. I’m sure this is advice you have heard before, but it’s basic advice for a reason. It’s easily one of the best and easiest ways to meet other people at school (especially if you join in first year as everyone is still eager to meet people).
You instantly share something in common with everyone in the group — not just a mutual interest in the club’s purpose, but also the shared experience of attending the same meetings and events. When you’re surrounded by others who genuinely care about the same things you do, it becomes much easier to form meaningful friendships and feel a sense of belonging.
There is a club or organization for almost anything, so don’t be afraid to join a few groups to try and find the best place for you. From academic/professional clubs to performance and art clubs to political or faculty initiatives, there’s something for everyone.

2. Get involved in residence life

If you live on campus in first year, you have countless opportunities to get involved right outside your room. Your residence is more than just a place to sleep, it can also be a built-in community. Many residences have different events such as hall activities, game nights, floor dinners, and movie nights. Ask your residence don or assistant about activities being planned in your building (they are there to help you!).

3. Don’t be afraid to say “hi” first!

This might be the simplest piece of advice, but also one of the most powerful. If you tend to be more introverted or are used to your environment, this can be a difficult task to branch outside of your comfort zone.
But if there’s one thing I can take away from my university experience it’s this: everyone is in the same boat! Especially in first year, most people are more than excited to meet new people (some are even waiting for others to say hi to them first).
Here are a few things you could try:

• Asking to sit next to someone in class
• During lecture breaks, ask the person sitting next to you a question related to the class (e.g. about an upcoming exam, the lecture content, what other classes they’re in, etc.)
• Compliment the person in line behind you
• Ask others basic questions about themselves (e.g. what program they’re in, where they are from, what year they’re in, etc.)
• At a campus event find someone else who is there alone

The more you do this, the easier it becomes. Even if the conversation doesn’t go anywhere, that’s okay! It’s the first step to putting yourself out there.

4. Join a study group

Not only might this help you make some new friends, it also might boost your academic performance. Forming relationships out of a common interest (or maybe common academic struggles in this case) is one of the best ways to connect with people.

5. Take on a leadership role

Of course this is a great idea for those looking to take their extracurricular experience to the next level, but it’s also a great way to build deeper relationships. You will naturally connect with other leaders and peers resulting in stronger relationships. You will also grow in your confidence and communication skills which in turn helps you grow and meet more people in a variety of areas of university life.
Try being a VP on a club, plan an event for a club, become a student orientation leader, or a team captain of an organization. Any role aside from being a general member is an opportunity to grow.

6. Get a campus job

Now this may not be an option for everyone depending on your workload, but if you can handle it, it’s a great option for making friends (and making some extra money). This is a great way to develop a community at school as you have the unique experience of your coworkers being the same general age and at the same experience level.
Another great perk of working a campus job is the connections with professional staff and/or upper year students. You may meet some people who become mentors and can give you advice or connect you with other opportunities.
You can create a sense of belonging and get to know people and faces around campus. You aren’t just attending your school, you’re a part of it.

7. Join an intramural activity

You don’t have to be a varsity athlete to be involved in campus sports – trust me I played 3 different intramural sports throughout university and knew nothing about any of them when I joined the teams. These casual student-led teams are more about having fun and being a part of a team than they are about winning.

College can be stressful, and intramurals are a fun, low-stakes way to move your body and stay healthy. Physical activity = better mood, better sleep, and better mental health.

8. Follow campus socials

Social media isn’t just for doom scrolling – it’s a way for checking event dates and staying updated on what’s happening around campus. You can get updated information on clubs/organizations, campus events, or important social dates.
When going to university or college, you may question how people are always finding out about certain events – well the answer isn’t actually that difficult: social media. The university’s main page, faculty, residence life, or club pages are all great accounts to follow.
Social media isn’t just some distraction, it can be a tool for connection.

9. Bonus: be patient

Getting involved and meeting new people at university is a process that can take some time so be patient with yourself! The first club you join might not be your favourite and the first person you strike up a conversation with might not be your new best friend, but that doesn’t mean you should stop trying.
Remember, everyone is figuring it out alongside you. It takes some time to adjust and grow within your new environment. It’s all a journey – some connections will fade, some will stick, and your involvement on campus may change from year to year. Just putting yourself out there means you’re already doing great.

Conclusion

You may feel like there is a lot of pressure to find your people or place right away, but this is a process that takes time and will look different for everyone. There are many ways to build your community and get involved on campus whether that’s joining a club or intramural team or even saying “hi” to someone in your class. Be open, be curious, and be kind to yourself along the way. You never know when or where a conversation, activity, or shared experience might lead to a genuine connection.