Dear Ask-a-Roo,

I need some advice on being an older student who lives off campus but still wants to make friends.

Thank You,

Catherine

Hi Catherine,

What I am about to say will sound very cliche, but I recommend joining a club. I’ve been there, I am there, and I fully get it. It took 3 years before I started making friends on campus, and it only happened because a professor recommended I join Roo News. It can be so easy to come to class then go home without talking to any of your peers. Joining a club that focuses on something you identify with and enjoy will put you with a group of people you at least have one thing in common with. 

If that isn’t doable for you, try to create a study group of classmates. It can make it a lot easier to feel comfortable with the people around you and learn from each other. Meeting in the library or at the student union can be a great neutral ground that everyone would be comfortable with. Even setting up a group chat to talk about school work can help you form friendships. 

Don’t feel too discouraged, the younger students feel the same way you do. 

With Love,

Ask-a-Roo

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