Here’s How To Make Friends When You’re No Longer At College
When you’re in college it is extremely easy to make friends because you are forced to live around a lot of people, go to classes, and join social groups. Everyone you are around is in the same stage of life that you are so it easy to connect with people and build friendships with them. However, these friendships may not necessarily last outside of college, especially given that people will be starting careers, moving away and travelling.
After college, in the “adult” world, it can be very difficult and very daunting to make friends. Having a new career and life can bring new challenges and while beginning your successful working life is an exciting and great thing you are often leaving your social group and friends behind.
If you are stuck in this stage of trying to make friends when you are no longer at college here are some perfect ways that we have discovered to help you find a great new social circle.
Take Classes And Workshops
Signing up to take classes and workshops is an excellent way to make friends outside of college. There are probably many different workshops available in your area such as pottery, painting, cooking, DIY-ing and knitting.
You can also take short classes to learn new skills that you are interested in. By taking these workshops and classes, not only do you get the learn and improve your skills, you also get to meet new like-minded people.
Try New Things
Make friends by going out and trying new things. Sometimes we get stuck in our old routines and habits and that way we aren’t meeting new people. Going out and trying something that you haven’t done before is a good way to meet people that you haven’t already run into in your other walks of life. You also might find something new that you enjoy!
Explore
Exploring your town and surrounding towns is a good way to meet new people and make new friends. Exploring will help you to discover new areas and places that you may not have previously known about. This is a good way to find new places to hang out where there may be people with common interests.
Get To Know Your Work Colleagues
The best way to make friends is to get to know the people you spend five days a week with: your work colleagues. Getting to know your work colleagues is an excellent way to expand your social circle as you already spend enough time with them to know whether or not you think they would make a good friend. So next time you are at work invite them out to get a coffee.
Join A Sports Group
Joining a sports group is a great way for you to make sure you have some exercise in your life and to also meet new people. Sport is a great way to bond with a team of people while participating in a little bit of healthy competition. Being on a sports team also gives you a common point of interest.
Volunteer
Another way to make friends when you are no longer at college is to volunteer. Volunteering has many benefits like having a positive effect on the community, helping others out and meeting new people. If you are new to an area joining a volunteering group is a great way to meet new people who care about similar things to you. It also allows you to be a part of the community and broadens your support network.
Go To A Cafe
This next way to make friends when you’re no longer at college is a little different. In my first year out of college I went to a cafe near work 3 times and week and made really good friends with one of the waitresses just because I was a regular. Going to the same place regularly causes people to notice you and if you are friendly and open it may allow someone to approach you.
