Having a sense of community at college makes a huge difference in your college experience. Of course, feeling like you belong and having a support network can make you feel happier and less stressed. But there’s also a ton of research connecting students’ involvement in college with success both in college and afterwards. Studies have shown that being more engaged can:

• increase your chances of graduating
• improve your grades and overall academic success
• contribute to your well-being
• make you much more likely to have a job offer when you graduate

Basically, building community can help you get more out of college, do better, and have more fun.

It might seem hard sometimes to “put yourself out there,” but the smallest choices—just starting up a conversation while waiting in a line, or seizing an opportunity to meet up with a classmate outside of class—can jump-start a lifelong friendship.

And whether or not they end up becoming your best friends, your peers can be great sources of all kinds of info, and they can help you stay motivated and on track.

So when you’re in a breakout room on Zoom or sitting next to someone in class and you think “should I reach out?” the answer is Yes. You’ll never know what rewards you might find unless you make that first connection!

Another one of the richest sources of network connections in your college life is the people who work there.

Professors you develop a personal connection with can become important references for jobs or grad school down the road—but they can also be huge sources of support while you’re in college. For example, they can help put you in touch with people and opportunities they think would be good matches for you, and they can give you advice on all kinds of issues.

Connecting with other people who work at your college is important too. Put yourself in spaces to build relationships, whether it’s the multicultural center or the library. 

The easiest way to get involved on campus is to figure out what student organizations are out there and sign up. And the easiest way to do that is to check out activities fairs or “meet the club” events—virtual or in person. There’s something for everyone and a group for just about everything.

You can also learn about campus events and activities by following all your school’s social media accounts. Doing that can get you connected with other students, too.