One of the biggest worries many incoming freshmen have is whether they will find their people at college. As someone who felt the same way, I quickly learned making friends and finding your niche doesn’t happen overnight, but there are plenty of opportunities to make campus feel like home.,
The first place I found a community was in my dorm. On only our second night in the dorms, someone organized a golf tournament in our hallway. What started as a random activity quickly brought everyone out of their rooms and gave us a chance to meet each other. After that, many of us kept our doors open, stopped by each other’s rooms, and became friends. Many of my closest friends today are people I met on my floor during those first few weeks.
I also met a lot of people through campus jobs. Working on campus connected me with students from different majors and backgrounds that I never would have met otherwise. It’s a great way to earn money while expanding your circle.
Finally, take advantage of campus and city events. Whether it’s Wisconsin Welcome activities, student orgs, or local festivals, these events are great opportunities to explore Madison and meet new people. Even if you attend alone, you’ll likely find other students looking to connect.
Finding your niche at UW Madison doesn’t happen overnight, but getting involved and saying yes to new experiences can make a big campus feel smaller.
Find upcoming campus events through the events calendar
