What should I ask current students about making friends?
Ask about opportunities to make friends outside class—such as clubs, student events, or residence life—and about interaction in classes, laboratory work, or group projects, including how easy they are to join. It is also useful to ask about activities for new students, how often students participate, common ways friendships begin, balancing social activities with study, alternatives for students who do not join clubs, and interactions with international students or students in other years.
Key points
- Ask where friendships commonly begin and how easy activities are to join.
- Ask how students balance classes and extracurricular activities.
- Ask about ways to meet people without joining clubs and about interaction across years or with international students.
Things to check
- Friendship patterns and the atmosphere of activities vary by university, faculty, academic year, and individual student. Check official information for formal programs and activities.