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Apart from your classmates, you may want to make friends with students from other majors or years of study. To facilitate your building of social network, the University provides you with a number of resources:

i. A valuable support system Peer Mentor Programme is provided to all freshmen right before you start your first semester. Your peer mentor who may be your first friend on campus really cares about you and is ready to provide support for your university adjustment. Who is your peer mentor?


If you haven’t made any contact with your peer mentor, please contact Counselling and Development Centre.
 
   
ii. Many of you may choose to run the committee of different student organizations including student union, academic societies or interest clubs. Through organizing different activities for the student organization, friendships are usually deepened.
   
   

In addition, below are some hands-on tips of making friends. Try them out!

1. Be patient and courageous

It is natural for everyone to feel a bit uneasy and embarrassed when start develop a new relationship. It takes time to get to know each other. Take the courage to make small steps (smiling, greeting, responding and sharing) and you will gradually find peace in making friends and enjoy the reciprocal interactions.
2. Be genuine and congruent

Cultivate self-awareness of who you are and develop self-acceptance of you own limitations and weaknesses. The more you feel comfortable with yourself, the more you can be true to others. In return, the more others will feel contented to be friends with you.
3. Be open and respectful

Every person is a unique individual with different values and preferences. You may dislike people who insist to change your standards and so do others. Maintain realistic expectations for yourself and others. Be open and respectful to others’ views and needs. You may gain new insights from the human differences.
4. Be grateful

Recognize a smile, kind words or helpful actions that others give you. Appreciate and express a heart-felt thank you to them. Focus on both the gifts you receive and what you give to others can help us to stay connected with one another and develop a satisfying friendship.
5. Be proactive

Seek out places and join activities which you can meet people with similar interests and values, such as interest clubs, service trips, academic/GE classes, student hall, religious activities, etc. Take the initiative to get to know each other and keep contact with those who you feel comfortable with.
6. Be equipped communication skills

Practise makes perfect. Proactively equip yourself with good social skills by observing, listening, learning and practising. You can learn more communication skills by attending our eCourse or you can make an appointment with a Psychological Counsellor for a discussion.