November 8, 2025 by

As an incoming freshman, college can seem intimidating. It’s hard to leave everything you’ve known and move into a completely new environment. I was terrified during Getting Started Weekend — and to make matters worse, I didn’t know anyone else at Cedarville University. Not only was I moving hours away from my family, but I was also entering college with no friends. I was petrified! 

Feeling Alone at College? You’re Not the Only One 

In hindsight, I had no reason to fear. God brought me to Cedarville for a purpose, and He had a plan for me. However, that was hard to remember in the moment. I had a lot of worries, but my biggest one was meeting people.  

I assumed everyone was moving in with buddies, and I would be alone because I didn’t know anyone. Little did I know, I was completely wrong.  

So many incoming freshmen were in the same situation I was, coming in with no friends and worried about making new ones. Moreover, those who did already have friends were extremely kind and more than willing to include me. Everyone at Cedarville made it super easy to find friends. 

How To Make Friends Your First Week of College 

Cedarville knows and understands that new students are looking for friends. They specifically designed the entire move-in weekend, which they call Getting Started Weekend, to help incoming freshmen create connections from day one. It also helps that roommates are practically built-in friends.  

I met my roommate the day I moved in, and we stayed together during Getting Started Weekend. Having someone to tag along with when exploring and embarking on all the new activities around campus can calm your nerves and make you more confident.  

If you either don’t have a roommate or they already have a group, then Sting Groups are another great opportunity to find people to stick with. Sting Groups are designed to introduce you to other incoming freshmen during Getting Started Weekend.  

My Sting Group was great! We met up at our designated spot around the lake, and my Sting Leaders led us in conversation, which helped a lot with making friends early because I was so nervous. Additionally, after getting to know your Sting Group, you all go to the Jacket Fest together, which was the main place I met my closest friends. 

At the Jacket Fest, all the incoming freshmen gather in one field and play yard games for hours. This was my favorite part of move-in week. There are snacks, music, and every yard game you can think of. This was when I really stepped out of my comfort zone, and it was worth it. I introduced myself to as many new people as I could, and I strongly encourage every other incoming freshman to do the same. 

Finally, another way to make friends in the first week is by talking to your neighbors. There are so many students in your hall or unit that you will be living with all year. The faster you make those connections and introduce yourself, the more time you’ll allow those relationships to grow. This is one thing I struggled with, and if I could go back and change it, I would.  

I didn’t do a great job at introducing myself to my hall and staying active when it came to all the dorm events. Don’t make the same mistake I did! It will be uncomfortable at first, but you will thank yourself later down the road. 

How To Build Friendships After Move-In Week 

Additionally, those dorm events I mentioned are not just during the first week of school. The Resident Assistants (RAs) do a great job at planning events and gathering everyone together throughout the entire school year. This can be just a lunch with your hall, or it can be a full event with your bro-sis.  

Every dorm has its “bro-sis,” which is a section of a guy’s dorm and a section of a girl’s dorm that plan events together. These bro-sis groups stay the same all year, which creates another great opportunity to meet more people. Our bro-sis would play weekly games in the Engineering and Science Center, and it was a blast. 

Another good way to make friends is through D-Groups. These are year-long Bible studies that embark on studying a different book of the Bible or topic every year. They are great opportunities to build deeper, more meaningful connections with others by studying God’s Word together. D-Groups provide a crucial support system for college life, and I’d advise all freshmen to join one.  

The last, and probably greatest way I made friends in school was through classes. You’ll meet so many people when classes begin, and most professors include group work and projects, which will help you get to know others. Once you meet people in your major, you will likely have multiple classes with them throughout your four years of college.  

Making connections within classes allows for more friendships to grow even outside of class. The best way to do this is to study with a group. I started doing this freshman year, and I loved it. Studying with a group makes it more fun and helps you learn more, all the while making friends and building those relationships. 


Trust God and Take Initiative 

Although college can be intimidating, don’t forget that you are not alone. Countless students enter feeling completely lost, without friends or a support group on campus.  

It’s crucial to take advantage of the many opportunities to establish friendships early on. Whether that is through meeting a bunch of people at Jacket Fest, hanging out with others in your hall, or studying with a group of students from your class, take the initiative and begin to foster those relationships — you won’t regret it.  

College is daunting, and it is easy to become discouraged, but God placed you here for a reason, and you can trust that He will work through that. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” No matter your doubts, you can trust God with them all. 

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