Welcome!

Transitioning into college can be tough. New buildings. New rules. New people. No friends?!?

Think about the people you call your friends. You've been hanging out together since high school, third grade or before. You've shared the same school and family experiences; you've had your differences, but grew as friends over time.

At Wheaton you have hundreds of potential new friends! The best way to make friends is by getting involved through student organizations, clubs, and your residence floor. Utilize the Student Involvement Handbook site as a tool for learning how to get involved and grow as a leader at Wheaton.

Tips for Making New Friends

Here are five things to consider as you find a few new pals:

• Take your time
  The first few weeks are not a race to see who can make the most new friends (this includes Facebook). Be open to a lot of new people and social situations. At the same time, remember that trust between friends is something that needs to be earned - it doesn't happen overnight.
• Nail down a good relationship with your roommate
  Even if their personality, mannerisms, and manners are totally different from yours, this is the one person you most need to get along. Just remember that a great college roommate isn't necessarily a great friend and vice-versa.
• Don't over-commit to the social side
  Overextending yourself and your time is the best guarantee for short-term burnout. You don't have to say yes to every event invite - find things you like to do or want to try, and you'll naturally make friends.
• Instant friendship is a lot like love at first sight...
  more fantasy than reality. Even if someone seems to be the perfect new best friend, make sure to keep your options open. A real friend will stick, even if you're not doing everything as a team.
• That whole college romance thing can go a million different ways
  It's a good idea to do some work up front to build a few solid friendships you can fall back on if you need to. It's likely you will.

Remember, your college years will shape the way you think and act for the rest of your life. Your friends are a big part of that process.

Finally, with all the new people you'll be meeting at college, never forget your old friends. That doesn't mean running home every weekend to hang out. It does mean making the effort to stay in touch. Call, text, e-mail, Facebook them to keep connected. Hang on to your old friends, they've been there for you for a long time.

Good Luck!

Based on: http://www.collegeview.com/articles/CV/campuslife/meeting_new_people.html