One thing I wish someone had told me before coming to UW-Madison is that you do not need to find your best friends during the first week of school. When I started college, it seemed like everyone around me already had a friend group while I was still trying to figure out where my classes were.
The biggest thing that helped me feel more comfortable was simply talking to people in my classes. Most friendships don’t happen instantly. Sometimes it starts with asking someone about an assignment or sitting next to the same person every week. Those small conversations can turn into actual friendships over time.
Another thing that helped was getting out of my dorm room. It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to stay inside when you’re busy or nervous. Going to campus events, studying at different places, or even spending time at Memorial Union helped me feel more connected to campus life.
My last tip is to give yourself time. A lot of freshmen feel pressure to have everything figured out right away, but that’s not realistic. Finding your place at a big university takes time, and everyone’s experience is different. It’s completely normal if it takes a semester or even longer to find your people.
College is a big adjustment, but you don’t have to rush the process. Focus on meeting people, trying new things, and being patient with yourself.
For more information about student organizations, visit the Wisconsin Involvement Network (WIN): https://win.wisc.edu/
