Wellness Wednesday: Connecting on Campus

Navigating social life in college can be incredibly tough, especially when students are often separated from friends and family while embarking on this new journey. Whether you’re a first-year or starting your fifth, connecting with peers can be daunting, but having a fulfilling social life is crucial for our well-being, longevity and overall success. Research shows that strong social connections are linked to reduced stress, boosted mental well-being and improvements in physical health.

Beyond college, developing social skills is vital and can have a profound impact on our professional success. We need to be able to solve complex problems and communicate solutions effectively and collaboratively, especially in a globalized world where we often work with people from different backgrounds and cultures. To help, we pulled together some ideas on how to get connected:

Get involved on-campus: With so many opportunities to get involved on campus, through clubs, employment or at events, there is something for everyone. Many activities are designed for students to attend solo to encourage you to meet new people. Get Involved at NC State is a search platform where you can find different student organizations and events. The Wolfpack Wellness website also has a page dedicated to finding events and community on campus.

Howl and Chill is a series of events hosted by Wellness and Recreation as a way for students to meet new friends while building self-care into their day. The next Howl and Chill event is “Glowga,” featuring glow-in-the-dark yoga on Stafford Commons.

Step to It is a wellness challenge with teams of 3 – 10 participants competing to get as many steps as you can. Alternative step conversions are also available to meet varying mobility needs. Participants will record their steps over a four-week period, with the winning team earning a special giveaway pack. Don’t have a team? Contact Wellness and Recreation to get connected with a group.

Reach out to old friends: Being in college does not mean you only need to build new connections. Perhaps you have a friend from summer camp, someone you played soccer with when you were young, or a former classmate you haven’t talked to in a while. These are peers you have shared experiences with, and though they may not be here at NC State, taking the time to catch up allows you to bond over new experiences together. Take a few moments out of your day to call or text someone you love to maintain these important relationships. 

Explore a new hobby: Engaging in activities you’re passionate about is a great way to expand your social circle with people who have a shared interest. If you’ve always wanted to try something new, consider attending a club meeting or taking a class centered around that hobby. Visit the Get Involved page to see when clubs meet and learn more about on-campus events. 

Be a friend first: It takes effort to be present in relationships. Take the initiative to invite people over or ask to spend time together. Be intentional and present in every conversation, put your phone away and engage with those around you. It may take time, but you can find balance in giving to your friends the effort you want to receive and keeping your inner peace. 

Cultivate “weak-tie” friendships: Daily interactions with those around us are important. Your classmates, group project members, the person you wave to at the gym every week, or someone you make small talk with are all important for social connection. These “weak-tie” relationships, as noted by Zara Abrams, M.S., boost happiness and are an effective practice for talking to people you do not know. Who knows, maybe a weak-tie relationship will one day develop into a friendship. Put yourself out there and ask to grab a coffee or go for a walk around campus with someone. 

We know connecting on campus can seem overwhelming, but you’re not alone. We encourage students to seek out opportunities on campus and beyond NC State to build connections into your daily life.