At first, I thought it would be funny to just end this column with one line right here, maybe say, “This is a legitimate cry for help” or something, but that would be “unprofessional” and “worrisome.” We all love that self-deprecating humor, right?
The unfortunate thing is that humans are social creatures, and our brains tend to react poorly if we haven’t had an interaction with someone else for a while. We get exhausted with the constant routine of going to class and seeing new faces but never having a conversation with them. Friendships don’t go as romantically as we’re used to. It’s less of “we met and now you’re going to be the best person of honour at my wedding” and more of “we smile at each other sometimes.”
How are you going to make friends as an adult? It depends on what you classify as “friend.” Are you more interested in having a buddy each class or roping together a group of people that you hang out with constantly? The thing with finding friends is that it’ll be a fluid process. You’ll meet some and you just won’t vibe with them; that’s okay.
What helped me was talking with acquaintances from high school. I was lucky enough to find some familiar people who were willing to meet up, which I do frequently now. If your high-school past is dreadful (or years away from you), try saying “hi” to someone new. Compliments tend to go a long way, too.
Your challenge isn’t finding the soul mate of a friend; it’s finding someone to get along with and learn about.
I know: talking to new people can make some anxious, but a quick “hello” might alleviate some of the antisocial misery your brain’s having.