Ask HN: I'm making like 0 friends at college, how to fix it?

I talk to some people in classes and we're pleasant to each other but haven't gotten beyond acquaintance with any of them. I know some people from a club I'm in but don't see them outside of that. It doesn't help that I'm a computer science major and I don't have a lot of interests that CS majors have (anime, video games, social media, etc.) Advice on how to connect better with people?

I'm busy a lot of the time so don't think about this. But I've heard everybody talking about Halloween costumes in the past few days and realized I don't need one cause I'll be sitting inside alone on Halloween. I'd like to start fixing this but don't know how.

Edit: some people have asked, I'm a sophomore. Seems like a lot of people already formed their social groups last year.

Take some initiative and chances. Tell everyone you know that you are hosting a party or a bowling hangout and see who shows up. Instead of waiting to be invited.

We befriend people with whom we spend time. As simple as that. Usually that happens because you have common interests, common foes, and/or common values, but those are a non-problem in college where everyone is facing the same issues, are roughly of the same age, and still have to develop a strong set of beliefs.

So, to get practical, I would suggest: just show up. Show up in class, show up at clubs, show up at extra-curricula activities. Do it long enough, be honestly engaged, and you'll be surrounded by friends you'll keep for all your life.

Is there any interest groups for students at your school? E.g. photography, choir, hiking, board games or something like that? If so, that could be one way to regularly meet people. Depending on where you live there might also be such groups for “regular” people as well (i.e. not restricted to students only).

1. Become friends with your roommate, and dorm people. You see these people everyday. Say hi to them, and just small talk for only 2-3mins time to time when people are not in a rush.

2. Play sports... (recreational/intramural), coed better.

3. Join a gym, and start exercising/living healthy

4. Make sure your hygiene is on point and dress well/better than the average. Also pay attention to your grooming and other habits (eg. eating habits). Perhaps there is something that is turning off people.

5. Try to invite people to events/things. Event just lunch at the school cafeteria. Try to form a habit to have lunch with the same people/group and eventually people will invite you to things.

Some of the folks that I went in college that had trouble making friends, apart being socially akward, had some kind of basic hygiene/grooming problem. You are not going to get invites to parties if you look like crap, and have body odor. Nobody will tell you why.

Make sure these basic stuff are covered, then the other thing is just talking regularly to the same people, having lunch with them regularly, etc...

Also, don't beat yourself up, as many people are in the same boat as you. This year is kind of unusual, as covid is still a concern and most people will be more reserved as usual.

Good luck,