Healthy Buffs

Find your people: Tips for meaningful connections

Kyra Raye Loch — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 18:25:22 +0000

Find your people: Tips for meaningful connections Kyra Raye Loch Fri, 08/08/2025 - 12:25

Building new friendships in college can feel exciting and full of possibility. Remember, you’re surrounded by fellow Buffs who are also eager to connect, make friends and share experiences. Embrace this unique chapter—exploring campus life, joining clubs and trying new things can all open the door to meaningful connections. Check out these tips to discover ways to build supportive relationships and make the most of your college experience.

1. Ease your expectations

When looking for new friends, remember that each person you meet offers something different. Whether it’s a study buddy, an adventure partner or a good listener, having a diverse group of friends makes college more rewarding.

It's okay to take your time as you find your community at CU—real friendships often grow naturally over time. Be proud of every small step you take and celebrate your efforts to connect. Remember, college is not just about academics, but also about discovering who you are and the people who will cheer you on during this journey.

2. Take advantage of opportunities for small talk

Small talk may get a bad reputation, but it’s an incredible gateway to new friendships—especially in college. These quick chats are a natural part of meeting new people and can lead to some of your most memorable college moments.

Whether you’re striking up a conversation with someone in your residence hall, swapping stories before class or chatting while in line for coffee, small talk helps break the ice and opens the door to discovering shared interests. Each casual exchange is a chance to learn something new—maybe you’ll find a fellow hiking enthusiast or someone who’s excited about the same campus club as you. Don’t be afraid to ask about weekend plans, favorite classes or upcoming campus events—these easy openers can lead to genuine connections and lasting friendships.

3. Work with discomfort

Meeting new people on campus can be an exciting part of your college adventure. Before new interactions, try grounding yourself and remember that you’re not alone—everyone else is trying to find their community, too.

Physical tension: If you notice some nervous energy or tension, try focusing on the present moment. Quietly remind yourself of simple facts like your name, your reason for being here or something you’re looking forward to this week. These small reminders can boost your confidence and help you stay in the moment.

Nervous thoughts: If you catch yourself worrying about what others might think, try recognizing those thoughts without judging yourself. You could say, “I’m having the thought that I won’t fit in, but that doesn’t mean it’s true!” Give yourself permission to be authentic—others appreciate the real you.

By acknowledging discomfort and allowing yourself to move forward anyway, you give both yourself and others the chance for meaningful connection.

4. Socialize your interests

Balancing all that college has to offer—classes, campus events clubs, and time for yourself—can be a rewarding challenge. Setting healthy boundaries and protecting time on your calendar for your hobbies and interests is a powerful way to make the most of your college years, meet new friends naturally and create lasting memories.

Try penciling in regular moments each week for something you enjoy, even if your schedule feels packed. Whether you join a fitness class or a student organization, getting involved helps you meet new friends and feel more at home on campus. By becoming a familiar face at activities that interest you, you’ll grow your social circle and strengthen your sense of belonging.

Remember, there’s no pressure to build deep friendships overnight. Sometimes just showing up can make your day brighter and open the door to new connections.

5. Try different strategies

There’s no single way to make friends and exploring different approaches can lead to great connections.

Joining group events or chats makes meeting people feel easy and fun, and takes the pressure off one-on-one interactions.

Practice casual chats in daily life, like with a cashier, to build your comfort and confidence in conversation.

Have a few conversation topics in mind, like hobbies or weekend plans, to spark meaningful exchanges with new friends.

Remember past times in your life when you've had to make new friends, what worked then and what you learned from that experience that you could apply now.

As you practice small talk and meet new people, aim to keep early conversations light—sharing just enough helps friendships grow naturally.

Above all, remember that meaningful connections are built one step at a time—so trust your journey, reach out, and let your college experience become richer through the people you meet along the way.

Find support

If you or someone you know is struggling to connect on campus or feeling isolated, there are support services available to help.

Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS): CAPS offers a number of mental health and support services for students, including therapy groups, workshops and drop-ins through Let’s Talk.

Health Promotion: If you are struggling with finding a community, navigating campus life or need support, Peer Wellness Coaching is a great free peer-to-peer option. They know what it's like to adjust to a new community (they're students too!) and can share tips, ideas and campus resources for meeting your people.

Check out these tips to discover ways to build supportive relationships and make the most of your college experience.

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5 tips to help you focus and flourish this fall

Kyra Raye Loch — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 17:11:09 +0000

5 tips to help you focus and flourish this fall Kyra Raye Loch Tue, 08/05/2025 - 11:11

Listen to this article

Starting a new semester is exciting and full of opportunities. CU Boulder offers a wealth of support designed to help you thrive, not just academically but personally as well. As you step into the new semester, here are some ways to care for your mental health, sharpen your focus and truly flourish this fall.

Adjust to change

Change is a constant part of college life, bringing new and exciting experiences each semester—whether you’re meeting new roommates, starting a new job or getting used to a new class schedule. Embrace these opportunities and remember that support is always nearby if you need it.

If you need help preparing for the new semester, consider meeting with a peer wellness coach. Peer wellness coaches are trained students that can help you create a routine, connect with campus resources and access peer-to-peer support.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, connecting with friends or family can make all the difference. If you need additional support, consider reaching out to Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS). They offer same-day drop-in hours, consultations, workshops and more that can help you navigate a specific concern or help get you connected to ongoing care.

Find academic support

Set yourself up for academic success by establishing a consistent routine and staying engaged with your courses from the start. Attend your classes, review your syllabi, connect with your instructors during office hours and keep up with assignments to make the most of your learning experience.

College offers exciting challenges, and by seeking out support early—whether through tutoring or other resources—you’ll be empowered to meet your goals and thrive throughout the semester. As the fall semester begins, consider attending one of these free workshops hosted by Disability Services to help you adjust:

Start your Semester Strong | Aug. 25

Transition from High School to College | Aug. 26

Stress Less | Aug. 27

Academic Coaching Workshop: Note-taking | Sept. 8

If you ever need extra support, dedicated mental health providers are available within your college or school through the Embedded Program. The Embedded Program was created to integrate Health & Wellness Services into academic settings, with counselors that have additional understanding of specific student populations. They’re ready to help you navigate any challenge and support your well-being every step of the way.

Be active and involved

As the school year begins, there are countless opportunities to stay active and connect with new friends. Prioritizing movement is a wonderful way to support both your physical and mental health. This fall, consider joining Intramural Sports or Sport Clubs, exploring fitness classes at the Rec Center, trying out small group training or getting involved with a student organization that matches your interests.

Students who engage and build community at CU Boulder often discover greater well-being and excel academically. Take advantage of everything the Rec Center has to offer—you’ll have a great time and nurture your well-being along the way.

Stay healthy

Germs can spread quickly, especially on college campuses. You can do your part to stay healthy by practicing good hygiene and other healthy habits. Remember to wash your hands often, especially before eating and after using the restroom. It’s also important to drink plenty of water, eat balanced meals and get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

If you do get sick, Medical Services offers primary care appointments for all students, regardless of their insurance plan. You can also stop by a Wellness Suite on the third floor of Wardenburg or the first floor of the Village Center to pick up free cold care supplies, or order a Buff Box to your residence hall to get supplies like honey sticks, tea, cough drops and more.

Connect with resources

Whatever you might need this semester, there are resources available to support your academic journey and well-being. Check out upcoming student wellness events and explore wellness services.

By taking advantage of these resources and embracing new experiences, you’ll be well-equipped to make this fall semester both fulfilling and successful.

CU Boulder offers a wealth of support designed to help you thrive, not just academically but personally as well. As you step into the new semester, here are some ways to care for your mental health, sharpen your focus and truly flourish this fall.