How to Make Friends at UM
Hello! My name is Madison Knapp, and I am a freshman at the University of Montana. I’m majoring in Creative Writing and minoring in French. I am an out-of-state student from Bellingham, Washington, and I have met many wonderful people while attending UM.
For many first-year students, making new friends in a new place can feel scary. In fact, many students rank “making new friends” as one of their biggest worries about coming to college. As my freshman year comes to a close, I’ve learned a lot about making friends and finding community. Here are some valuable tips for when or where to meet friends when they may seem just out of reach.
Introductions During Class
Introducing yourself to a fellow student may seem an obvious way to meet friends. Yet, saying hello to someone in class or asking if the seat next to them is taken is a great way to meet people in college. In class, it is common for students to share interests and can thus connect through the course.
I met one of my best friends through a class at UM. I asked them for help with the instructions a professor gave us about our textbook in French class. A simple question or introduction can create a way to form a connection with fellow students. It can also expand once you’ve connected with others in the class.
Attend UM Events
UM hosts many events year-round that support community involvement. The Foresters’ Ball is an example of a UM event where students and community members can dance and have fun. Even Commencement allows students to connect with fellow new students. Events happen often on campus and offer support for students to meet others.
I am a member of the Davidson Honors College at UM and have gone to many open mic nights hosted by the Honors College. This allowed me to share my work with peers and connect with other honors students. The DHC lounge is also a frequented study spot where many DHC students connect and and gather for events.
Join Communities like the DHC or GLI
The DHC and the Franke Global Leadership Initiative are two popular UM groups. They challenge your thinking and provide you with a supportive community all in one. With smaller classes and important global conversations, students connect with their peers. Members of such communities meet through the educational lenses provided through these groups.
As a student in the DHC, I’ve met fellow students in my smaller classes and workshops. Challenging our thinking is a frequent occurrence in the Honors College. It connects students who enjoy thinking critically about the world we live in each day. This encourages growth and connection among students.
Attend UM Sports Events
Washington-Grizzly Stadium is a great location for the Grizzly sports teams to play in. The student section is always spirited and ready for action. Monte the Bear, UM’s mascot, is always livening the crowd. This allows for a cheerful environment in which to meet new friends and share school spirit.
Join Clubs
When exploring the club fair at the start of the fall semester, students can find lots of diverse clubs to join. Students can bond over French films in the French Club or observe insects in Bug Club, and the University is home to the largest Esports teams in the state. There are many clubs offered at UM that inspire community and offer support to students.
Live on Campus
Living in a residence hall enables students to spend time together outside of class. Students are often set up with previously chosen roommates through ZeeMee. Residence halls often host events where students can attend and meet new people. These events usually have group activities as well as individual activities for students.
I've met friends with my roommate through living on campus and going to events. We’ve gotten together in our room to watch movies, play games and eat lots of candy. At residence hall events, we've built Lego sets, done word searches and gotten stickers. These events usually have snacks or little gift bags, as well.
Study in Groups
UM’s campus offers a wide range of study spaces, from the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library to the Education Building lounges. These spaces allow students to get together with fellow classmates to study for an exam or work on group projects. Study groups also allow students to bond over a shared course outside of class.
During my first week of college, I got together with a fellow student to study for a French test. We talked about the course and helped each other prepare for the exam by quizzing one another. We also shared French music and told stories of our high school French teachers.
Play an Instrument in Marching Band or Pep Band
If you have a particular interest in music, Marching Band and Pep Band may be the place for you! With no audition needed, band is a great way to get involved in UM’s spirited community. It's easy to meet new friends through your instrument’s section and band as a whole.
I met one of my best friends through band and our shared instrument of choice: the piccolo. Being a member of the piccolo section has introduced me to many new friends. Having a group of people who you meet with frequently is an amazing way to forge friendships.
Participate in an Intramural Sport
Intramural sports at UM are a good way to meet peers with similar interests and connect over games. UM has many different sports available to students, such as soccer or volleyball. Students can meet new people who like to play the same sport. Intramural sports are a great way to exercise, play your favorite sport and meet new friends.
Take Fitness Classes
With UM’s group fitness rooms, a myriad of included classes are held for students. The dance fitness classes Oula and Barre are great ways to enjoy dancing and making friends. Other classes, such as Yoga and HIIT are also offered to students. These classes provide a positive environment to meet new people while having fun.
I’ve been attending dance fitness classes such as Shine and Oula with a friend I made on campus. This experience helped me grow more confident by allowing me to meet more students who like to dance. These classes allow for a weekly routine and a nice break from class or exam stress.
Madison Knapp is a first-year student at the University of Montana who majors in Creative Writing and minors in French. She is an out-of-state student from Bellingham, Washington. Madison is also a Davidson Honors College student and a proud member of the Grizzly Marching Band.