Students Seeking Friends Don’t Have To Work Hard On Campus

By Bianca Salazar
Staff writer
IG: bancasalazar_bts

With school being underway, first-year students feel the need to make new friends just to get through the year faster. Many students don’t know where to start. Luckily, there are many ways to get involved and make connections with people who have the same interests.

Bella Bergmeier, Hutchinson freshman, is a part of the student ambassador program, one of many clubs and organizations on campus.

“We had training for a few days. That encouraged me to make new friends within the club. I made a few friends and we got along and hung out during training,” Bergmeier said.

Bergmeier later said that knowing people before classes have started has helped her college experience because she now feels more comfortable going to class with people she already knew.

Caydence Boor, Hutchinson freshman, is a part of the presidential scholars and honors student council.

“Getting to know some other honors students before school even started was really beneficial for me,” Boor said “We had a back to school bash the night before classes began and it was nice to see some familiar faces as I navigated my first week on campus.”

One of the main ways students make friends is by sharing their interests.

“I’ve made several friends in my cosmetology class,” said Hutchinson freshman Margaret Carol. “We share a lot of common interests of course through our work and career choice and we have bonded a lot over that.”

Boor agreed that common interests are a way to make friends.

“I’ve met people I have things in common with such as going to the same church or being on a grade school sports team together,” Boor said. “From these connections, I’ve also been introduced to their friends and met more great people.”

Students learn the art of making friends through trial and error. Boor gives a little advice to help students develop connections.

“My favorite way to meet someone new is to find something we have in common,” she said. “For example, I love pointing out that I’m wearing matching pants with someone, or that we’re water bottle twins.”

The classes may drag, but the best ways to stay engaged are participating and collaborating with others.

“Trying to spark a new conversation a day is what helps me stay engaged through the school day,” Boor said.

College is an experience waiting to be had. Students are the ones in charge of making the most of it and creating it a positive one. Students are encouraged to put themselves out there and make lasting connections between their classmates.

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