Friendship is an odd thing. Sometimes it just clicks, and you just feel that this is a person you want to become good friends with, and that it is mutual. You’re lucky if you experience this, because it doesn’t happen very often.Other times, friendship sneaks up on you. Can you remember how you made your first friends in your hometown? Being friends doesn’t mean that you have everything in common. It’s about getting to know someone over time, staring memories and having shared memories of experiences and other acquaintances.Oftentimes, school or free-time activities facilitate friendship, because it causes people to meet up frequently over a long period of time and through activities. You don’t necessarily get this same help in higher education. But you can take things into your own hands.

Show that you want connection

The most important thing you can do to make new friends is to show others that you want connection. This means daring to sit in the cafeteria by yourself, looking for connections, and not hiding yourself behind your computer or phone, and maybe daring to go to an activity alone.This can be challenging, because nobody likes to show others that they are lonely. Many rush home after lectures for this reason- so that they don’t have to feel this discomfort.

Take the initiative to connect

There are some simple steps you can take to connect with others. Smile, be nice and interested, ask questions. It’s often easier to ask questions than to talk about yourself, so use questions actively:

• What subjects are you taking?
• Are you in any associations?
• Do you live with roommates?
• Where do you work out?

And remember that everyone likes to receive compliments, and they are a good shortcut to make connections.But of course, all of this is challenging for those who are shy. See if you can do it anyway. Remember that nobody can see the nerves you are feeling, and that everybody is affected by talking to people they don’t know, so nerves are necessary.

Be willing to make changes

Even though you had planned on working on an assignment, washing clothes, or you’re tired after a day of studying - if you get an invitation, say yes! You can do the laundry another day, and you can get extra energy if the activity is fun. Even if the invitation isn’t the most exciting, it can lead to something more.

Join a student association

SiO Associations is a good place to start of you want to connect with students who have the same interests as you. Here you will find hundreds of associations, and many of these are so-called Welcome-associations. This means that they have an extra focus on including and welcoming new students.Maybe it’s a good idea to look for an association that meets regularly, such as once a week. Or what about Oslo student sports clubs? Don’t go into the trap of thinking that everybody there probably already knows each other from before, or that you aren’t good enough or know enough about the activity.Associations are only for students, many people are new, everybody has been new at some point, and you are of course warmly welcome.