COLLEGELIFESTYLE & TRAVEL

Finding Community During College

Starting college and most likely living on your own for the first time is a huge transitional period in your life. This newfound independence may be intimidating and can raise many anxieties, including how to find a community. Read these tips and tricks to learn how to promote connectiveness and foster a sense of belonging during your time in college.

Find Your Third Space

A third space is referred to as a location that is not your home, work or school. It is the next essential place to spend time. Some examples of third spaces could include the gym where you take weekly spin classes, your favorite coffee spot, a park you visit frequently, or a library where you go to read. These spaces allow you to connect with people who share similar interests and passions to you. It promotes daily interactions with others and allows genuine connections to blossom.

Join a Club

Joining a student organization or club is a great way to meet new people and have new experiences. The beauty of these organizations or clubs is that there is typically something for everyone. Based on your passions or inspirations and time commitment or goals, these organizations promote communication and creativity and may even aid in helping you strengthen your interpersonal abilities like leadership skills, teamwork and problem solving.

Attend Campus Events

Make the most of your college experience by attending different campus events! You can find a mix of professional, networking and social events to participate in that can allow you to feel more connected with your peers and with campus culture. Examples of these include sporting events, performances, workshops and other student experiences that your college offers.

Connect with Others During Class

Most of your time at college will be spent in lecture halls and study spaces, so why not take advantage of this time? It can be easy to stay in a routine and keep to yourself but try to challenge yourself to meet a new person each class period. An easy way to do this is to change where you sit in class from time to time. This allows you to get exposure to new people you would have never interacted with otherwise.

While trying to find a sense of belonging in college can seem challenging and intimidating at times, it’s important to remember you're not alone. Many of your peers are going through the same worries as you, and that’s OK! With time, patience and a little effort, you’ll find people who could become lifelong friends and make your college experience even brighter.

Sources:

https://goodvibeswellness.com/finding-your-third-space-where-life-happens-between-home-and-work/

https://www.njit.edu/admissions/blog-posts/how-find-your-community-campus