You’re finally here. The dream of attending college has come true. After the hustle and bustle of moving in and orientation, it is finally time to start classes and find a rhythm.

One of the most important parts of this time in your life is finding friends and having fun. It may seem intimidating at first, but once you begin to explore, there is no end to the number of things to do and memories to make.

The most obvious way of getting out there once you reach college is joining a club. Iowa State has dozens of clubs, ranging from sports and video games, to robotics, language, majors, coffee and many more.

No matter what you are interested in, there is large chance that there is a club at Iowa State created just for it. The hardest part about joining clubs is finding the time to fit all of them in.

Once inside a club, you will be with people that are passionate about the same subject as you and finding friends will be easy.

Classes are another great way to meet people. Say “hi” to someone sitting next to you in lecture or ask someone to help you study for a hard test. These things may feel awkward at first but may lead to real friendship in the end.

Perhaps you will get a job on campus. This is another one of the best ways to make friends because you will already have something in common with the people there.

There are many more methods to choose from, but they all boil down to one concept. No matter who you are, going from high school to college, or transferring into Iowa State, is going to be a rocky experience. Everything around you can seem unfamiliar and daunting, but something important to remember is that, for everyone around you, this new environment will feel the same.

College is the time in your life to break out of your comfort zone. Trying new things is an essential part of growing as an adult and figuring out who you really are as you leave the nest and become your own person.