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3 tips for making friends during Fall Welcome

Fall Welcome is almost here, where there will be opportunities for you to learn about student life and meet fellow Buffs. Through signature events and activities, you’ll have the chance to connect with others in your college or school, your residence hall and other campus programs.  

As you meet new people during the first few weeks of the semester, your interactions may lead to friendships. Here are a few tips for making friends during Fall Welcome. 

1. Make the first move 

One strategy to try this semester is to commit to making the first move. Try to be the first one to introduce yourself when you meet someone new over the next few weeks. Breaking the ice can help pave the way for fun conversations and new friendships.  

Here are a few places where you can try out this strategy:  

Your residence 
You never know what you might have in common with your floormates or neighbors! Whether you live on or off campus, make it a goal to connect with someone new each day. Ask them to join you for dinner or check out a campus event together.

Fall Welcome events 
Events like Neighborhood Block Parties, Welcome to Our Herd, CU Kickoff and Spirit Night are great for socializing and getting to know others. Introduce yourself to those around you, ask where they are from and what they are most excited about for the fall semester.

Extracurricular activities 
Depending on what you do with your time outside of class, there are many other ways to make friends. Consider joining a student organization, working on campus or volunteering. If you meet someone new and hit it off, ask if they want to hang out later. 

2. Find Buffs with similar interests or backgrounds 

Finding your community can help you feel more comfortable at a large university like CU Boulder. Between student organizations, programs and events that are specific to different groups and interests, there are many ways to connect with Buffs around things you have in common. 

Review the options below to meet others with similar hobbies, interests or backgrounds. Also, don’t hesitate to try something new! College is a great time to discover new passions and explore your identity. 

Meeting Buffs with similar hobbies or interests 

Sports and gaming 

Music and entertainment 

Social justice and advocacy 

Meeting Buffs with similar identities or backgrounds  

3. Give it time 

Building friendships can take time. Starting college is a new experience for you and your peers, and you can take small steps each day to find your community. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you pursue friendships: 

  • Focus on the positives: When meeting new people, look for things you have in common. This could include personality traits, hobbies, shared experiences or humor.  
  • Make time to socialize: Focusing on academics is important, and you can take breaks to attend events and spend time with others. 
  • Keep trying. It can take time to find friends that you connect with more deeply. It’s OK if you have friends that you only see in class or when you visit the Rec Center at first. These interactions can still be a highlight in your day and might become closer friendships over time.  

Want to learn more about the student experience at CU? Follow @CUBoulderLife on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).   

Find Support

Center for Student Involvement
Join student organizations, find leadership opportunities and learn about other ways to get involved at the Center for Student Involvement.

Volunteer Resource Center
Volunteering can help you learn new skills, gain experience, make a difference and meet people with similar passions.

Recreation Services
Find your fit at The Rec! Join fitness classes, play intramural sports, explore Colorado with Outdoor Pursuits or attend an Inclusive Rec event.

Center for Inclusion and Social Change
The center offers programs, events and resources to promote inclusion and nurture identity development, diversity, equity and social justice.

New Student & Family Programs
This is your go-to resource as you begin college. Professional staff and student journey leaders are here to help with anything you need in your transition to campus.

Student events
The Division of Student Affairs hosts hundreds of free events each semester. Find things to do by following @CUBoulderLife on Instagram and downloading the CU Boulder Life app.