Mank Rutu (ENG’24) (from left), Nicole Zaju (ENG’24), Niana Geoffrion (Questrom’24), and Marianne Palmieri (ENG’24) having dinner on the BU Beach.

Building Relationships

24 Ways to Make Friends at BU

Plus, tips from upperclassmen

Making friends can be a challenge. Luckily, BU has more than 36,000 undergrad and grad students in the same boat, navigating the awkward dance of introductions and polite conversation. You’re not alone.

“Just put yourself out there,” recommends Navya Kotturu (CAS’24, Sargent’24), a biochemistry and molecular biology major who is currently Student Government vice president. “Start a conversation with the person next to you in class, talk to someone in a club meeting, or introduce yourself to people on your floor in your dorm.”

“Break the fear of saying ‘Hey’ to new people,” says Jacob Lindner (COM’23), an advertising major who is on the BU swim team and has a passion for photography and dancing. “Our campus is big enough to where you might see a new person or group every day, and as much as it might be nerve-racking to put yourself out there, go for it.”

If you need more ideas, check out our 24 ways to make friends at BU:

1. Howard Thurman Center’s Coffee & Conversation 

Coffee & Conversation is a University tradition, held weekly on Fridays from 3 to 5 pm at the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground. Students, faculty, and staff gather to discuss current events, trending topics, and controversial ideas while practicing civil discourse and engaging with their peers. Sign up for the HTC newsletter to learn about upcoming events and meeting topics. 

2. Do your homework in a (somewhat) loud place

Get out of your dorm and head to the George Sherman Union, Mugar Memorial Library, or the Kilachand Hall study room on the building’s top floor, with views of the Boston skyline. This won’t work for something you really need to focus on, but doing your homework in a public place means being surrounded by people. Who knows, you may bump into someone from one of your classes or someone on your floor. 

3. Keep your door open

At least the first few weeks of school, keep your dorm room door open if you are inside and just hanging out. Floormates are more likely to stop and say hi this way. Plus, floormates make the perfect buddies to go with to the dining hall, work out at FitRec, or walk to class with. 

4. Make an effort to talk to everyone on your floor

Knock on their door and introduce yourself. Or say hi when you pass in the hallway. It helps to know the names, majors, and hometowns of people who live on your floor and in your building. Be sure to introduce yourself to your RA too, since you never know when you might need them.

5. Attend floor meetings 

These meetings often happen the first week of school and occur several times during the semester. Hosted by your RA, the meetings provide important updates and information and are a chance to make friends with people on your floor. 

6. Join one club (or several)

BU has over 450 student organizations. Clubs are a great way to meet people who share the same interests. According to the Student Activities Office, the most popular clubs at BU are cultural organizations and community and engagement groups. Check out the full list of student organizations here. 

7. Introduce yourself to people on either side of you in class

Instead of checking your phone while waiting for class to start, chat up the people seated around you. Ask them their names and exchange phone numbers, or create a class group chat on GroupMe. Classmates are also a great source for answering questions about your course. 

8. Volunteer with the Community Service Center

The Community Service Center (CSC) is a great place to make friends while helping others. There are tons of ways to get involved, ranging from one-time service opportunities to longer programs like the First-Year Student Outreach Project (FYSOP) and alternative service break trips. 

9. Become involved with Umoja 

Umoja is BU’s Black Student Union. Umoja means “unity” in Swahili and the organization’s mission is to unite the Black community at Boston University. Check out their Instagram page for upcoming events and ways to get involved.

10. Meet a fellow astronomy fan at the Coit Observatory’s Public Open Nights

Got plans Wednesday night? The Coit Observatory, on the roof of the College of Arts & Sciences building (725 Comm Ave), has hosted open nights for the public since 1967. The free program starts at 7:30 pm on Wednesdays during the fall and winter months, and offers visitors the chance to look through telescopes and observe the night sky. Tickets are required and can be reserved online at 11 am starting the Thursday before the open night. 

11. Club sports 

Teammates are known to have incredibly tight bonds. Joining a club sport like baseball, volleyball, soccer, sailing, figure skating, water polo, or golf will get you active, occupy your free time, and introduce you to new people.

12. Invite friends on your floor to be Boston tourists for a day 

Window shop on Newbury Street or walk the Freedom Trail. Have a picnic in the Public Garden and people-watch as willow trees blow in the breeze above you. Head to the North End and get a cannoli, a slice of pizza, or an arancini rice ball. The options are endless, so get out there and start exploring your new home city. 

13. Take a one-credit class at FitRec 

Looking to get active? Add a one-credit PDP class to your schedule. FitRec offers several classes, such as yoga, martial arts, dance, weight lifting, figure skating, rock climbing, and sailing. Why not get active and try something new?

14. Go on an outing with the BU Outing Club (BUOC)

Have an urge for adventure and exploration? Join the BU Outing Club and attend trips throughout the year, including hiking, canoeing, biking, cross-country skiing, backpacking, and more. Everyone is welcome, regardless of experience level.

15. Grab a coffee on campus with a classmate 

College students love caffeine, so why not invite a classmate to grab coffee with you? Bring some homework and head to Pavement, Caffe Nero, Starbucks, or Dunks. You can also order your coffee to go and head to the BU Beach to relax by the Charles River.

16. Head to the Newbury Center 

The Newbury Center supports and celebrates first-generation students at BU and hosts mentoring programs and events throughout the year. Check out the center’s website to learn more about the Newbury Center and ways to get involved. 

17. Join a club related to your major

Looking to gain professional experience? Join an organization related to your major to meet people who share the same interests and get hands-on learning experience. For example, budding inventors may want to check out BU Spark! which offers several opportunities for students to get involved in entrepreneurship and data-driven projects. 

18. Get a part-time job on campus 

Earn money while meeting new people. Campus jobs will have you working alongside other students, and show future employers that you know how to manage your time. Check out job listings in locations like the dining halls, mail room, or library on the Student Link.

19. Log onto Bumble BFF

An offshoot of the popular dating app, Bumble BFF is a way to meet people online and create meaningful connections. The app is great for those moving to a new place or looking to expand their social circle.

20. Attend a hockey game

Show some school spirit and take in a men’s or women’s ice hockey game this fall. Join fellow Terriers in shouting chants at the opposing team, singing along with the Pep Band, and eating Raising Cane’s postgame. Come support the BU women’s team as they face the Université de Moncton on Friday, September 23, at Walter Brown Arena, and cheer on the men’s team, playing Bentley on Saturday, October 1, at Agganis Arena. 

21. Visit religious centers on campus 

Students of all faiths can find their community at BU’s many religious centers, including Hillel, the Catholic Center, and Marsh Chapel. These centers host events and celebrate holidays throughout the year, and are open to all.

22. Form a study group 

Meet up with classmates on a weekly or monthly basis to go over homework, ask questions, and study for upcoming exams or quizzes. Bring pizza and snacks to fuel you through each study session or grab dinner together after your meeting. 

23. Join Student Government 

Want to gain leadership skills and represent your peers? Join BU Student Government and get involved in one of its many branches and committees. Check out its website for information, application forms, and upcoming events.

24. Ice-skate at Walter Brown Arena 

Bring some classmates or roommates and go ice skating at Walter Brown Arena on weekends during the semester. Dates and times for open skating can be found here. Admission is free for FitRec members and skate rentals are $5 per person.