Welcome Week at the University is nonstop — events every hour, awkward small talk and hoping no one notices you’ve already forgotten their name … again.
It’s the official launch into college life — for introverts, it’s the ultimate test of endurance.
With events stacked back-to-back and social expectations running high, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind if you’re not immediately clicking with people on your floor or running from one frat party to the next. Not everyone thrives in chaos, and that’s OK.
Tip No. 1: You don’t need to go to everything
Gloria Guerrero, sophomore in LAS, remembered how drained she felt trying to keep up with the constant buzz on campus.
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“I did feel welcome,” Guerrero said. “I did feel like I belonged (at the University). At the same time, (Welcome Week) did overwhelm me, and I had to take a step back. I was not really ready to put myself out there in the way that I felt I was supposed to be.”
Instead of pushing through it all, Guerrero focused on doing what felt manageable.
Pick one or two events each day that genuinely interest you. It’ll be easier to recharge — and you’re more likely to connect with people naturally.
Consider starting with smaller interactions. Strike up a conversation with someone in your dorm or in line in the dining hall. It might feel less intimidating, and those smaller moments can help build your confidence to branch out further.
Tip No. 2: Lean on people you already know
For Dmitriy Shor, sophomore in Engineering, having high school friends on campus made a big difference.
Tagging along with people he knew helped make those first few days less overwhelming.
“My high school friends were more outgoing, and they wanted to do more stuff with new people, especially in the dorms,” Shor said. “That made it easier.”
If you’ve found even one familiar face on campus, don’t be afraid to stick together. Once you feel more grounded, you might find yourself opening up naturally, but there’s no rush to get there alone.
Tip No. 3: Remember, everyone wants friends — No one has it all figured out
Samantha Palazzolo, junior in Media and social media influencer known as “Sammy K,” regularly posts college tips on everything from making friends to navigating dorm life.
She has also been honest about the tougher parts of her journey at the University.
“I think you just have to know that everyone is also nervous and anxious,” Palazzolo said. “No one has it figured out, and everyone is trying to make friends. You’re not weird for going up to someone or asking their name — everyone wants to make friends at Welcome Week.”
Palazzolo said many students have reached out, saying they related to her videos about struggling to make friends and that her experiences reflected their own and made them feel more seen and connected.
“A lot of people told me (they were) feeling similarly,” Palazzolo said. “Getting to talk to them and being like, ‘No, it’s hard,’ gives me so much joy … It makes me never question posting something vulnerable online.”
So if Welcome Week has you feeling out of place, overwhelmed or like you’re the only one not instantly thriving — take a breath. You’re not behind, and you’re definitely not doing it wrong.
Meaningful connections take time. Whether you’re easing into events, sticking close to old friends or still figuring out where you fit, know that you are not alone.
Most people are just as unsure and eager to find their people — one genuine connection at a time.
Welcome Week is loud, but you don’t have to be the life of the party to survive it.
