Put your best look forward: Meeting people in college
Posted on Jul 11, 2012 in Features
Try a new look to boost your self confidence and attract the attention of someone new. MCT Campus
Meeting new people in college is, well, the best time to do it. You’re surrounded by hundreds of people your own age who obviously have at least one common interest since you both chose the same school. It may seem overwhelming when you first get to UAB because there are so many hotties that you never even knew existed. Now, how do you meet them and gain their interest?
PUT YOUR BEST LOOK FORWARD.
Okay, so I changed the adage a bit. Yes, personality is inarguably important, but as Gerard Butler says in “The Ugly Truth,” “No one falls in love with your personality at first sight”.
College is the time when you can dye your hair purple or try out a full-on lumberjack beard. You’re young, so experiment with your look! Buy that dress your mom would never let you out of the house in or shave half of your head. Do whatever makes you feel confident and sexy.
For me, it’s a killer pair of heels and some red lipstick. People notice and are attracted to confidence, and when you feel good, you look good and visa versa. Think about it. You don’t go for the wallflower hunched over in a chair at a party, you go for the hottie who’s well-dressed and working the room.
PUT A SIGN ON YOUR DORM DOOR.
Release your inner Kindergartner and bust out the Crayola markers and computer paper. Freshman year, my roommate and I put a sign on our door that said “Welcome to Jaime and Shelby’s pad, come on in!” and we kept the door open. You would be surprised at how many people just came by to say hi, or to ask us if we wanted to go out later. Everyone coming to college wants to meet new people, but sometimes you have to give them a little nudge. Just don’t forget to take the sign down when you guys leave the room!
TAKE RANDOM CLASS.
Okay, so you’re pre-med, that’s great! Take an art or gym class. Take something completely irrelevant to your major and break out of the routine of seeing the same people everyday. By having friends that aren’t in your dorm or classes, it adds an interesting mix to your social life.
GET INVOLVED IN STUDENT LIFE.
I transferred to UAB after my freshman year at Miami. I didn’t know one person coming here, so I forced myself to go out and do things to be social. I went through sorority rush, joined the Kaleidoscope, and even started a Her Campus branch here at UAB. It didn’t happen right away, but I’ve met some of my best friends through these organizations, and I definitely recommend getting involved in student life.
HAVE A MIXER!
If you read my column on the reg, you’ll know that I love a good theme party. One theme that I’m a fan of is a “Bring a Single Friend” party. The name is pretty uncreative and self-explanatory, but you basically just bring a single friend of the opposite sex who you have no romantic interest in. That way, everyone is meeting new people and there’s a pretty even ratio or girls to guys, which is always a bonus. Make some drinks, throw some music on, and you’re good to go!
Jaime Ritter
Staff Writer
jritter@uab.edu