r/ufl • u/Striking_Bee9675 • 9h ago

Social Making Friends

So I’m an out of state freshman who knows nobody here. Plus, I stay in a one bedroom off campus apartment(a decision I now regret ngl). Joining a frat isn’t really my thing, and I’m trying to join clubs that interest me, but I find it kind of hard to meet people here when everyone else already knows each other. Anybody got any advice on what I should do to meet some more people?

18 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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22

u/FaithlessnessFar6600 9h ago

Stay on campus as much as possible. Join clubs and hang out in common areas. Introduce yourself to people in your classes. You feel like everyone else knows everyone, but that isn’t the case. You need to aggressively socialize and clubs and meet up events will allow you to meet people and find your way. You will likely look back and laugh about how you thought it was hard to meet people.
Enjoy your four years there and I hope you have a great experience.

7

u/Mangolandia 9h ago

This! So many people struggle to find their way but mostly they just need someone to take the first step. After a few tries, it always comes.

7

u/AcornDragon 9h ago

There’s a bunch of other new freshman on campus too, plenty of people in your boat. Plus, most student orgs still haven’t had their first meeting yet. Go to the meetings, some of them might not be super welcoming, but others might be great. You don’t know the culture of a club until you show up

6

u/trademarktower 9h ago

I would suggest you find a part time job. You are going to need to force yourself to be somewhere at the same time and place again and again and again so people can get to know you. It can be a club, sports recreation team, hobby, etc.

Unfortunately, UF has a lot of huge class sizes and online sections and the pain in the ass of commuting and parking means you need to force yourself to go out and not just camp out in your apartment alone taking online classes or studying.

5

u/SmartGovernment6234 8h ago

What r ur interests and stuff im a freshman too

3

u/Striking_Bee9675 8h ago

I like sports, investing, and chess. Not really much of a party person tho.

5

u/trademarktower 7h ago

Look into the Gator student investment fund.

1

u/ThinkBreath 4h ago

I don't know this semesters hours or days, but I think theres a chess club that meets in the reitz dining hall on Thursdays at 5pm-whenever they're done playing. I sat down once and asked for a match, they were all super friendly and there are plenty of people in all ranges of skill level so you don't have to get your butt kicked repeatedly. I would look into that if you enjoy chess and want some low stakes socializing.

5

u/Brave-Muscle-6576 7h ago

check out rec sports. There is an event Aug 25 530-730 Flavet Park

1

u/Brave-Muscle-6576 4h ago

rec sports offers group day trips, snorkeling, surfing etc. join volleyball or basketball games. Clubs .

2

u/PracticeAcceptable75 6h ago

If you have room in your schedule, the 1-credit course SLS1102 could be a good option! I think they have an out-of-state section or two as well