Whether you’re coming to PUC with a large group of friends or taking the plunge and going solo, it can seem intimidating when you’re on a new campus and don’t know many faces. Fear not though; there are plenty of different ways you can make new friends during your first few quarters.
Read on for 10 suggestions to get you out of your dorm room and into the mix!
Go to a Pioneers Athletics game. Hanging out in the Covered Wagon and cheering on your Pioneers is a great way to get involved with the Pioneers Posse, and meet some new friends too!
Join an intramurals team. Close to 50% of students at PUC participate in intramurals, and there are over 10 sports to play each year, so sign up to play! Or, you can start your own team. See if there’s anyone from your floor or class who wants to play.
Hang out at your department’s pre-vespers. Most departments have pre-vespers at least once a quarter. This is a great opportunity for you to get to know not only other students who share the same major, but your professors as well. Bonus: good food!
Go to your hall worship. Most floors in each residence hall have a simple weekly worship service where you can decompress with your fellow hallmates and spend time together in praise and worship.
Join a student-run club. There are over 20 different student-run clubs on campus, ranging from the Biology Club to the Literature Evangelism Club to the Student Organization of Latinos (SOL) Club. Joining one of these clubs can help you get to know other students outside of your dorm and major, and fill up your social calendar with fun club-related events and trips.
Join a tutoring group at the TLC. Whether you’re struggling in a class or just want to reinforce some core concepts, being part of a study group can help you succeed academically. It can also be a great way to meet other students too!
Go to the weekly SA event. Each week, the Student Association puts on a fun activity for students; sometimes on-campus, sometimes off. It could be a game night in the Campus Center, or a trip to the movies in Napa. Venture out and have fun!
Get involved with service and missions. There are plenty of ways you can give back, and make a friend or two in the process. You could help with Homeless Ministries, which visits local areas in need to pass out sack lunches and care packages every Sabbath, or go on one of the quarterly mission trips to places like Fiji, Brazil, or Kenya.
Check out the opening reception for a Rasmussen Art Gallery show. Several times a quarter, a new exhibit opens at the college’s on-campus art gallery, which often features students, faculty, and other local artists. The opening reception is a chance to meet the artists, mingle with other guests, and enjoy some tasty snacks while appreciating the talent on display.
Get a job on-campus. One of the advantages of getting a student job at PUC is being able to put your earnings towards your school bill. Another advantage is it introduces you to people you might not otherwise get to meet!
Don’t be afraid of getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new once you’re in college; you might surprise yourself and learn something new, and make a few new friends as well!
