Why did nobody warn us how lonely college is? When people talk about the “college experience,” you think of new friends, going out all the time, freedom, and finally living ‘the life.’ Next thing you know, you went to class and came back home without talking to a single person. You are now tired, have too much homework, and dread going to school. What happened to that college life painted by society?
If you are going to a commuter school like Queens College (or any CUNY campus) where people usually go home right after class, you would know that finding friends in college is hard. However, it does not mean that it is not possible. Here are some ways you can get socially active on campus:
First, start off by finding out what you’re interested in, then go through the list of clubs and student organizations that your college offers. QC’s groups can be found in the website Uknighted, which you can log in to with your QCAMS account. Once you have chosen which ones you are interested in, then you can start attending interesting meetings, events, and workshops hosted by those groups. Nevertheless, you can often find events and workshops by reading the flyers posted on the bulletin boards near your classroom, by checking your emails, or even by looking up their accounts on Instagram!
Another opportunity where some friendships have flourished is here at QC’s Greek life. Darla Joanne, a member of Sigma Delta Tau, is a sophomore majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Psychology. She shared with The Knight News that by being involved in this sorority, she was able to make a lot of lifelong friends.
In particular, this sorority hosts and participates in a range of events to promote sisterhood, community service, health and wellness, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Some of the past events they have hosted include bracelet making, cultural potlucks, breast cancer awareness walks, and group dance workouts. If you want to learn more about Greek life at QC and find out their upcoming events they have planned, you can follow them on instagram @qc_igc.
Not great at making conversation? Socializing with others does not always have to start by talking. Christina Franco, an undergraduate student double majoring in Accounting and Economics, is a part of the QC Division II women’s volleyball team. She spends twenty plus hours a week with her teammates practicing, traveling for tournaments and games, and team bonding. It inevitably led her to develop lifelong friends that she can spend time with outside of volleyball practice. Even if you do not have time to join a sports team or do not feel qualified, you can still play with others just for fun! On nice weathered days, you might see people playing volleyball or frisbee on the quad. Feel free to join in!
I have heard all too often from other college students that they simply don’t have the time to participate in extracurriculars. Sreeya Bobby, an undergraduate student majoring in Math and economics, had study groups for her Economics, Computer Science, and Math courses. Yes, initially the study groups were made for just exams, but they ended up bonding as they tried to help each other out. As she learned more about the subject, she also learned about the people she spent time with. It eventually led to hangouts outside of the campus, which blossomed into friendship that extended beyond classes. College classes can be hard, but you don’t have to struggle alone. One day after class or in your group chats, ask if anyone wants to study together and who knows what might happen.
In my personal case, I never expected to find a community when I applied to work at The Knight News and the Writing Center this semester. I was there solely for the purposes of course credits and making money. However, when you get a job on campus, you suddenly become part of a team. You meet a lot of new people and connect with the faculty who work there as well. The world suddenly opens up and you have not only more resources, but people in your life that care for and support you.
A final piece of advice is to stay on campus! As mentioned, since this is a commuter school, it’s easy to go home. However, when you stay on campus, you will realize there’s always something going on — it’s just up to you to get out there and become a part of it. Good luck!
