Making new friends in a new place can feel intimidating, and many students rank “making new friends” among their biggest worries about coming to college. My name is Madison, and as an out-of-state student from Bellingham, WA, I was also worried about this when I crossed state lines to attend the University of Montana. And now, after surviving (and thriving) through my first year on campus, I’ve learned that UM and Missoula are easy places to meet people and build community.
Keep reading for my tips and tricks for making new friends at UM:
Say Hello to Someone New in Your Classes
Taking that first step and saying hello to someone in class is a great way to meet people in college. In the classroom, it’s common for students to share interests and connect throughout the course, through things like group projects or discussions.
I met one of my best friends through a class at UM. I asked them for help with the instructions a professor gave us about our textbook in French class, and we connected by helping each other through the class. Even a simple question can be a great way to form connections with fellow students.
Check Out the Many Campus Events
UM hosts many events year-round that bring students together and foster friendships. The Foresters’ Ball, for example, is a UM event where students and community members can dance and have fun together under Bertha’s watchful eye.
Events happen often on campus and offer students opportunities to meet others in unexpected places, like during Welcome Feast. For all the latest events, check out GrizHub or the UM Student Life page on Instagram.
Join Communities like the DHC or GLI
The Davidson Honors College (DHC) and the Franke Global Leadership Initiative (GLI) are two popular UM groups. They challenge your thinking and provide you with a supportive community all in one. With smaller classes and important global conversations, students connect with their peers. Students in these communities discuss deep issues and confront their personal values and beliefs in classes like Ways of Knowing.
As a student in the Davidson Honors College at UM, I’ve gone to many open mic nights hosted by the Honors College. This allowed me to share my work with peers and connect with other honors students. The DHC lounge is also a frequent study spot where many DHC students connect with each other and gather for events.
Read More: My Experience in the Davidson Honors College
Find Community in Club Sports
UM offers approximately 25 club sports ranging from flag football to basketball, lacrosse, hockey and shooting sports. These are men's, women's and co-ed teams that compete against other university club sport teams. If you want to keep a competitive edge in college, clubs sports is right for you. But because each team is a community with practices, scrimmages and fun events -- even if you're not looking to compete, it's a great way to build community. No experience is necessary to join a team!
Read more: Your Guide to Club Sports at UM
Cheer on Griz Athletics!
Football gamedays at Washington-Grizzly Stadium are something you have to experience yourself. The student section is always spirited and ready for action, cheering on the Griz every step of the way. Monte is always livening the crowd with his backflips and guitar smashes.
And it’s not just football at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Griz Athletics spans a wide range of sports and venues and always gives you a chance to cheer on the home team with new and old friends alike. And as a student, you get free tickets to every single event.
Read More: Griz Athletics - Who to Cheer For and When
Join Student Clubs
When exploring the Welcome Feast at the start of the Fall semester, students can find lots of diverse student clubs to join. Students have the chance to bond over French films in the French Club or observe insects in Bug Club, and the University is home to a trophy-winning eSports team, which you can be a part of!
Read More: How to Join a Student Club at UM
Roommate Ruckus and Other Residence Hall Activities
Living in a UM residence hall lets students spend time together outside of class. You can be paired with a stranger to start with or request a specific roommate (or use ZeeMee to find a suitable roomie!) Residence halls often host events where students can participate in fun activities with others in their buildings, like a paint-and-movie night, making it easy to find new friends!
I've met friends through living on campus and going to events together with my roommate. We’ve gotten together in our room many times to watch movies and play games, letting us all get to know each other better and share our lives. Living on campus makes it easy to connect with people from other residence halls.
Read More: Your Guide to UM Residence Halls
Gain Skills in Outdoor Rec Classes
One of Montana's greatest gifts is its great outdoors. And UM’s various outdoor rec classes and gear rentals enable you to hone your skills or develop new interests, all the while surrounding yourself with people who are passionate about the same things as you! With classes like Avalanche Preparation, Belay Clinics and Bike Maintenance, you’ll learn more about both your specific sport, but also the people around you.
Have a Study Buddy!
UM’s campus offers a wide range of study spaces, from the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library to the Education Building lounges. These spaces, often accompanied by a campus coffee shop, allow students to study for an exam and enjoy a coffee break with classmates.
During my first week of college, I got together with a fellow student to study for a French test. We talked about the course and helped each other prepare for the exam by quizzing one another. We also shared French music and told stories of our high school French teachers.
Read More: Best Study Spots at UM
Play Your Heart Out in Marching Band or Pep Band
If you’re a musician or a musician-to-be, Marching Band and Pep Band may be the place for you! With no audition needed, marching band and pep band are a great way to get involved in UM’s spirited community. It's easy to meet new friends through your instrument’s section and band as a whole.
I met one of my best friends through band and our shared instrument of choice: the piccolo. Being a member of the piccolo section has introduced me to many new friends. Having a group of people who you meet with frequently is an amazing way to forge friendships that are built to last.
Read More: My Experience in UM Marching Band
Make a Difference Through ASUM
Are you passionate about making positive changes for the future of UM? You’re not alone! UM's student government, the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM), is full of students who are passionate about what they do and aren’t afraid to share their voices and support the student community. It’s also a great way to meet other change-makers like yourself!
Read more: Get Involved with ASUM – UM’s Student Government
Participate in an Intramural Sport
Intramural sports at UM are a good way to meet peers with similar interests and connect over games. UM has many different sports available to students, such as soccer or volleyball. Students can meet new people who like to play the same sport, where they can multitask in getting great exercise and making new friends.
Take Fitness Classes
In UM’s group fitness rooms, a myriad of classes are held for students. The dance fitness classes Oula and Barre are great ways to enjoy dancing and making friends. Other classes, such as Yoga and HIIT are also offered to students. These classes provide a positive environment to meet new people and have fun.
I’ve attended dance-fitness classes such as Shine and Oula with a friend I met on campus during my first year at UM. This experience helped me become more confident by allowing me to meet more students who enjoy dancing. These classes also offered a weekly routine and a nice break from class or exam stress.
Madison Knapp is a student at the University of Montana who majors in Creative Writing and minors in French. She is an out-of-state student, a Davidson Honors College student and a proud member of the Grizzly Marching Band.
