It takes a great deal of courage to step out of your comfort zone and make a conscious effort to meet new friends. Fortunately, Trinity College offers a ton of opportunities for you to put yourself out there and find like-minded people. And so you do.

You spend the first week going to various outings, striking up conversations, and making connections with new and returning students. You’ve already exchanged Instagram pages with them and even liked their posts! Go you!

But what should you do next? How do you actually keep these connections alive?

Reach out

The road to a strong friendship is paved with quality time. The more time you spend with another person or a group, the more likely you are to build a good relationship.

Understandably, it can be frightening to initiate conversations and meet-ups. But remember that other students probably feel the same way. So if you show a little bit of interest, you might instigate the beginning of a lifelong bond.

Get to know people on a deeper level

Sooner or later topics for small talk will fizzle out, and you’ll need to elevate your friendship to a higher level.

Don’t be afraid to ask profound questions. Simultaneously, show a little bit of vulnerability yourself.

Try practising active listening and pick up on subtle bodily clues: perhaps something is troubling your new friend and you can lend a helping hand.

Compassion and empathy are integral to forming a quality relationship.

Participate in events

Eating out together at a coffee shop is undeniably pleasant. However, it might be a good idea to spice up your hang-outs with hiking or pottery classes. Sign up for a society together or visit an event in the Global Room.

If your newfound friend is interested in art, why don’t the two of you take part in a painting workshop? That way you’ll spend time with them and show interest in their hobbies.

Organise study sessions and lunches together

Undoubtedly, the most challenging periods for a friendship are the midterms and the exam season. Neither you nor your buddies have the time to hang out, and you feel like your connection is fading.

The solution is to book a study room or a booth and hit the books together!

You can also help each other out by making quizzes and games to test your knowledge, regardless of whether you are in the same course.

In addition, you can always meet over some delicious food and unwind for an hour before continuing studying. Food brings people together and fosters a sense of belonging. It can prompt riveting discussions about different cultures and cuisines as well as help you discover shared tastes.

Don’t overthink

It is easy to fall into the pit of despair when you feel like the relationship hits a dead-end. Perhaps, the person you’ve had an engaging conversation with doesn’t respond to your messages or postpones your hang-outs. Whatever the reason behind this behaviour, don’t blame yourself.

It is not uncommon for students to collect dozens of phone numbers but not progress beyond the initial talking stage. You can only maintain relationships with so many people. So focus on those who return the courtesy of reaching out!

Concluding thoughts

I would like to emphasise that making friends is never easy. If you manage to meet at least one cool person, you’re already doing amazing! But I promise you will encounter even more great individuals throughout your time at Trinity College.

If you are worried about being able to keep in touch, you’re not alone! It is possible that your new acquaintances also feel anxious about the matter. Therefore, my main point for maintaining a relationship is to stay curious, compassionate and proactive. Show them you are interested!