Join clubs and groups. This is the easiest and most effective way to meet new people with similar interests. Don't be afraid of going by yourself. That is the only way you can get to know people in a personal level, especially in these huge universities. Smaller colleges and community colleges may not have as many clubs, but if they do, they are related mainly to a technical program. During the first weeks everyone is going by themselves. If you are joining late, just remember that most groups will be very happy to show you around. You could try a group relating to your interests, or a totally random club. Check your college website, facebook profiles, and flyers around the school for when clubs meet and what clubs you can join. You can start your own club too.
Participate in sports or some other activities - Sports are a great way to meet new people because you all have a common goal. If you don't like the stress of intercollegiate sports, you can go into inter-murals. You spend a lot of time together practicing and it helps develop teamwork. Most of the time your team does turn into family. If you are not athletic, try going into something like theatre or music. If you are not good at any of these activities, try the clubs. Theatre and music groups (even your own band or rapper collaboration) could turn into family as well.
Go to events. There's nothing like a good football game to build camaraderie. If football isn't your thing, there are usually poetry readings, concerts, art shows, dances, contests, or other events around campus. Asking people about local events is a useful conversation starter.
Talk to people. You can't make many new friends while sitting in a dark corner of the library unless there are other people just like you sitting in the dark corner of the library. Ask people who take classes with you questions about the material covered. Even if you don't have a question, classwork is a great icebreaker. Other great conversation starters are upcoming events and holidays/vacations, sports, food, music, etc. State the obvious too. Usually when you are eating, you talk about food and if you hear music, you automatically talk about music.
Don't do your homework in your dorm room or apartment. Most dorms have a lounge or common area where you can work instead. When you must be in your dorm for studying, leave the door open. Try to put a TV on or some music to attract more people into your dorm. If you're an outdoors person, go outside to work. While you may not enjoy the same level of privacy, people will approach you in time. Try doing it in the school too. The campus has many common areas where you can study and congregate.
Go to parties. These will be scary at first (loud music, drunk seniors, etc.), but eventually, you will find your groove. College is about having a good time (as well as getting your degree) so have some fun! If you are not the type to go to the hardcore parties, a school or community dance might help too. You can also have small quiet parties if you are not into these big frat parties such as having a movie night, slumber party, or sports party. But make sure you make your education your top priority and try not to get into illegal activities such as underage drinking and illegal sexual activity. Excessive drinking and using illegal narcotics has the potential to damage you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Having sex in college may be glamorized in the movies, but it will have many costs to your success in college, such as the possibility of STDs that could be deadly or getting someone pregnant when you are not ready. If you do, make sure you are well protected and try to "do it" at your own risk.
Don't give up. Freshman year is a major change and many people flip out and give up. Many freshman still haven't left their nest and the transition from being with close friends, siblings, or with their parents to a new environment might be difficult. This usually happen with students that go to college that is far away from home. Don't let this happen to you. It may take an entire year before you really start meeting people. Usually most college students that are not in sports, music or theatre, or in some technical program don't meet people really well until sophomore and even junior year! Realize that once you have a major targeted (or are in a technical program or trade) and are done with your general classes, you'll find several people who have a similar schedule. This eases the friend-making process tenfold. If you are taking generals, try to have a path too in your major so you can easily meet people with common goals and interests.
Get a job! Often, finding a position as a tour guide or a clerk in the bookstore will allow you to form common bonds with your coworkers which could reward you with new friendships, and a little spending money. You can do it outside the college too.
Sign up for electives - Electives (especially the ones that are lab based) are a great way to make new friends. If you are interested in music, try taking band or choir, or some music production course. If you have a passion for art, take an art class. If you are interested in athletics, take a bowling or weightlifting class. If you really like health care, take a psychology or biology course. But don't overdo and try to keep your classes related to your major, unless you are just taking an A.A or B.A degree. Classes with a lot of discussion and group work, along with coursework that requires interacting with new people may help. That include communication, sociology, psychology, political science, etc.
Go downtown - If you are living in a smaller school, you can meet people off campus and in the community. This will work for university as well but not as good. Check out events like movies, the mall, bowling, festivals, fairs, local shows and concerts, and even go shopping at bit. This is a great way to meet people of all ages, not just college students. You can meet anyone from children to senior citizens.
Get connected. - With the modern era of the internet, when you are sitting on here finding out how to make friends in college, add some people in your college or your community. You can go on Facebook and randomly add people on campus. They won't care and it would be a great way to meet new people. Or try browsing people on campus on MySpace or try a dating site. The virtual friends in college could be a great start for real friends in college, and it is an alternative way for more shyer people. Join campus groups on Facebook with common interests. You can also get connected to your friends at home. A newly released iPhone app call CU helps you to connect to people in the same position as you simply by being on campus and having your phone connect to the colleges wifi network.
Hang with your hometown and go from there- If your college is one of these close by community colleges, there is guaranteed there will be some familiar faces in college. Meet some of your old friends and see if they can introduce you to their friends. This will make it easier and your friends will more likely have friends that are like you. You can hang out with your old buddies from high school, but be sure to make sure you get out of your nest and meet new people too.
Be approachable and compassionate - try to dress in approachable and friendly clothing, and look confident. Be nice to other people, open doors for people, help them with their homework. These small things will help you a long way.
Volunteer. Volunteering at a local soup kitchen or animal shelter, or even at your college is a great way to meet new people or make friends. It will also look great on your resume and will help you get a job.
