Finding Connections in College

Coming to college can be a difficult transition. New classes, new routines, and a new community can build onto the pressure that students already feel from being socially insecure. Forming connections between peers and your campus can help dwindle these stresses and create a calm, supportive environment to grow into your future. Creating connections through clubs, sports teams, and on-campus jobs can increase involvement and overall happiness in students. Mental health often gets overlooked by the hustle and bustle of school, work, and other commitments, but it is very important to one’s overall happiness and the ability to succeed.

A easy way to start making connections is through hobbies and interests. Finding existing clubs and even creating new clubs on campus can help foster friendship based on similar interests. A club creates close relations to campus involvement. From club events to campus wide events, there’s plenty of time to create connections between members within the club as well as out. Small interactions add up to so much more. Sports teams, similar to clubs, start with a similar interest. The unity of a team creates a stronger connections between peers. The dynamic of working for a common goals builds upon a friendship. Reach out to teams through ProfLink, find out when practices and tryouts are to see where you create bonds. Check out this upcoming SGA Organization Fair on Sept. 19 on the Student Center Patio and find clubs that you’re interested in!

An on-campus job is another great place to start when looking to create connections with others on campus. Spending time with coworkers will make you feel more comfortable and you will quickly adjust to life on campus. Start with student run buildings and ask if they are currently hiring. Even if it’s not for the current semester, sending in an application early speaks volumes and increases your chances of being hired. Branch out to academic buildings as well. While many may not advertise it, certain colleges will hire student staff to help around the offices and attend to more administrative tasks. A list of current positions available on-campus can be found here.

Both commuters and residents can take a part in each of these smaller communities to create connections all over Rowan University. Knowing that there will be someone that you can rely on or even just hang out with can benefit you greatly in social and academic success according to Creating College Advising Connections. Connections cross all forms whether it be another student, professor, or advisor; all are there to help you grow as a person and become more secure in yourself. Start off this year right by taking the time to create genuine connections with others and connect back to your truer self. Upcoming events where you can create connections with other on campus include: Unplug and Connect and ROFL Weekend: Laugh Factory on Sept. 21. Plenty of more events can be found on ProfLink using the “Making Connections” event filter.

-Samantha Ma

PR Intern