How to Start a Conversation: Tips for Your First Semester

While your first semester of college can be overwhelming, making new friends can help mediate that stress. Even though it may feel better to stay in your dorm or apartment, it's important to make an effort to meet new people.

Here are some conversation starters and tips to help you navigate and find your crowd. Focus on learning how to start a conversation, then keep practicing until it comes naturally.

When to Start a Conversation

Take any and every opportunity you have to chat with whoever is next to you. Use those quiet moments before and after class to get to know your neighbor. Talk to the people around you, whether you are waiting in a line, walking through campus, or at an event. If you are attending the same class or event, it’s likely you already have something in common with them, so strike up a conversation about it. While it may feel safer to look at your phone, deciding to reach out to someone else could change both of your days.

How to Start a Conversation

Learn their name! This makes someone feel like you are truly interested in getting to know them. Here are some of the best tips for remembering people’s names:

• Repeat it back to them after they say it to solidify it in your head and to make sure you pronounce it correctly. Sometimes saying it multiple times to yourself really helps cement it in your memory.
• Compliment something about their name; this also solidifies it in your head by associating it with something. For example,"Oh, your name reminds me of (blank),” "That's a beautiful name, where is it from?" etc.
• Be sure you don't have another conversation in your head. Don't be already thinking about what you are going to say next while they are telling you their name.

 

Continuing the Conversation

Get to know them! Asking lots of questions often makes you more likable, not to mention that people generally like to talk about themselves. Be sure to balance how much you are sharing about yourself and how much you are learning about the other person. As you discuss, remember to be authentic and genuine, as it brings respect, high regard, and trust.

In order to avoid asking the same few questions, try some of these:

• Instead of: What classes are you taking?
  • Try: What is your favorite class?
• Instead of: What's your major?
  • Try: What are you studying?
• Instead of: Do you like your professors?
  • Try: Who is your favorite professor? Why?
• Instead of: Where are you staying?
  • Try: Do you have any apartment drama?

Fun Conversation Starter Questions

Try something new! Once the basic introductions are over, get creative.

Here are some fun questions to ask:

• What is something about you that is true, but when you tell people, nobody believes you?
• If you could visit a planet in the solar system, where would you go and why?
• What is your most unusual hobby?
• What's the weirdest thing you’re afraid of?
• If animals could talk, which one would you talk to?
• What was your childhood nickname? Why?
• How would you survive the zombie apocalypse?
• What's the worst advice you’ve ever been given?
• If you were a piece of furniture, what would you be and why?
• Is there an unusual food combination or flavor you enjoy?

Knowing the right people can take college from good to great, and understanding how to start a conversation is a big part of that. Take this opportunity to try new things, meet new people, and make connections that could last a lifetime.

Tags: Student Life