15 Ways to Make Friends as an Online College Student for 2025

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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There is not much to separate online classes from their traditional, face-to-face counterparts. The major difference, of course, is that students personally make their presence in physical classrooms and stick to fixed class schedules. But as with this setup, online classes require the composition of students and their instructor or professor.

Based on the latest university statistics, close to 98% of U.S. schools have switched to online learning since the COVID-19 outbreak last year (Think Impact, n.d.). However, many local and even international schools have already started offering courses online even before the pandemic started. In fact, worldwide distance education is expected to reach $350 billion by 2025.

We all know the importance of having friends, but how do you make or maintain one with time and distance in between? Let this article guide you on how to make friends as an online college student.

Ways to Gain Friends As an Online College Student Table of Contents

1. How Can Online Friendships Boost Your Academic and Career Success?
2. Why make friends online
3. 15 Ways to Gain Friends As an Online College Student
4. How Can Online Doctorates Enhance Your Professional Network?
5. Pointers for Making Friends Online
6. Strategies That Balances Friendships With Academic Priorities
7. How Can Advanced Academic Opportunities Deepen Your Online Connections?
8. How Can Digital Collaboration Tools Amplify Online Academic and Social Engagement?
9. What Are the Common Challenges of Building Online Friendships?
10. How Can Online Certifications Strengthen Your Academic and Social Profile?
11. How Do Affordable Online Bachelor's Programs Expand Your Academic and Social Horizons?

How Can Online Friendships Boost Your Academic and Career Success?

Building professional networks in an online environment can open doors to mentorship, career opportunities, and industry insights that advance both your academic and professional journey. Engaging with peers in field-specific communities can lead to collaborative projects, internships, and access to exclusive resources such as industry trends and research updates. By actively participating in virtual networking groups, you can discover practical advice and strategic guidance tailored to your career path. For example, joining discussions related to an urban planning online degree can provide field-specific insights while expanding your professional circle.

Why make friends online?

Psychologists confirm that online friendships bring about many emotional and psychological advantages and that they are as advantageous as face-to-face friendships (University of the People, n.d.). These kinds of friendships are also of great help to people who are shy or suffer from social anxiety, as the screen can serve as the mediator between the communication. In 2020, the National Health Council reported that anxiety and depression rates in the U.S. have increased since the COVID-19 outbreak started (Manning, 2021).

Loes G. M. van Rijsewijk et al. took a deeper look at one of the foundations of many friendships, especially among adolescents, in their paper “The Interplay Between Adolescents’ Friendships and the Exchange of Help: A Longitudinal Multiplex Social Network Study." Published in the Journal of Research on Adolescence, the 2019 research sought to discover the connection between friendship and help, and probe the attributes of friendship and help channels. “Adolescents seek independence from parents and teachers. In their relations with such ‘authority figures,’ adolescents typically take up a subordinate position. Adolescents are required to comply with parents’ or teachers’ wishes and often depend on their knowledge.

Therefore, in their peer relations, adolescents may want to ensure that they are not in this subordinate, dependent position. If an adolescent is being helped by friends but is not in a position to help in return, this resembles a non-egalitarian relationship in which the focal adolescent depends on his or her friends, but not vice versa. Mutual help makes friendships more egalitarian and can be expected to make adolescents feel more comfortable with their relationships. As such, egalitarian friendships, in which help is mutually exchanged, may be maintained longer."

15 Ways to Gain Friends as an Online College Student

In college, it’s easy to lose track of the real benefits of college. You might think it’s all about grades and late-night studies. But it’s really more than that. Make your college experience just as socially healthy as what you would anticipate from a traditional campus. Below are some helpful tips for you on how to make friends in college online.

Create vicinity.

The advantage of attending a traditional campus is vicinity. There, you can run into other college students in your dorm, along the corridors, in the library, on the grounds, inside the cafeteria, and at events. The best way to recreate this college life aspect is to create vicinity (Endsley, 2019).

Be around people through internships, sports leagues, Facebook events, volunteer works, book clubs, or attending in-person classes at some schools. You do not need a social work degree to volunteer for social causes. You can do any of these by thinking of something you are fond of doing, then looking online to check if others are also into that thing. The fastest way to find people with common interests is simply to engage with students enrolled in the same online degree programs. If you do not know how to start, you can try these ice breaker questions for college students.

Do not wait for the right time.

The previous suggestion may not be for everyone. But waiting to get the right timing may also be not advisable in these situations. Just attend one event or meet one group for once; it does not have to be a lifetime thing. If it looks fun, go back. If not, try something else.

Be kind.

You have to want to have friends. Be kind, be helpful, be welcoming, and be open to gaining new friends.

Promote yourself.

Let others know that you want to form new connections. Share your interests, what classes are you taking. or anything about yourself. Make it known that you are looking for study buddies, someone to go to an event with, or real-life friends.

Engage in social platforms.

Virtual social clubs and opportunities are everywhere in the internet space. They can provide you with your much-needed support and social channel. Do not be afraid to engage in one to engage with other students in online colleges.

Try and try.

There may not be a perfect group to join after all, and transferring from one group to another means that you are always the new member. Why not give some groups a chance? Sometimes, all it takes is showing up for more than one time. Those new people may then feel a lot more like old friends to you.

Lead.

Waiting for someone to approach you is one of the reasons many people stay disconnected from each other. If you want to make friends with someone, lead by stepping up and introducing yourself.

Allow yourself to be bad at first.

Do not attempt to befriend an entire group, just one will be enough at first. Do not also assume that you can make a friend within a day, just at least plan to have a real conversation with someone.

Things will be awkward and scary, yes. You may struggle to come up with a sensible topic or leave feeling uncomfortable, too. Yet, the only way to get through these rough starts is to allow yourself to be bad at it. Along the way, it will all become what you wanted (Endsley, 2019).

Care about the other person.

First conversations are always uncomfortable, but that can be changed by caring about the person talking. Know him or her deeply and find a way to connect. Doing so will mean that you no longer have to talk just to survive the conversation, and you will actually enjoy the conversation.

Think that they care for you, too.

You do not have to do the asking all yourself; talk about yourself as well. Tell something about your own experiences, because this is where the natural connection begins.

Try to make friends with someone who is different from you.

Grab the opportunity of meeting someone totally different from you. There are best friends whose age gaps are huge, whose cultures are somehow conflicting, and whose life backgrounds do not seem like a perfect fit for each other.

College is all about new experiences—interacting with new and different kinds of people, learning new ideas, and even making friends with people you never would have thought for yourself (Endsley, 2019). So, try to interact with people that are taking different online degrees than you. You might be surprised with what you can find.

Reach out.

Do not hesitate to ask for help about some things you find hard. There may be others who are on the same path as you or others who are willing to help you. Aside from getting help, you may also find new friends.

Level up your friendship to the next level.

Watch a movie together, meet up for a coffee, or host a game night. Alternatively, you can adopt some of the ideas for virtual team building activities to create and foster bonding moments. Taking things further will help you get to know your new friends better and will also let them realize that you are interested in making them your real-life friends.

Be friends with yourself first.

Before you begin forming long-lasting friendships, you have to deal with yourself for a long time first. Dealing with lonely nights or weekends alone is pretty normal; even those who have many friends experience this, too.

Also, be patient. Rushing into making friends will frustrate you. Try enjoying things alone first, like cooking, walking, going to new parks, eating at restaurants, and more. Doing things on your own can make you more patient and will allow things to happen at the right time.

Step out of your comfort zone, but slowly.

Do not join all the clubs or social spaces or pretend to be someone you are not. Start small by taking one step forward with that one thing beyond your comfort level.

How Can Online Doctorates Enhance Your Professional Network?

Pursuing advanced academic credentials through online doctorates provides a platform to connect with a diverse, global cohort of scholars. This academic route enables concentrated interactions through research collaborations, specialized seminars, and networking events that extend beyond conventional online classes. Such structured programs facilitate access to expert insights and long-term mentorship, strengthening professional credibility and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue essential for career progression.

Pointers for Making Friends Online

It is not enough to know how to make friends when you do online school; you also have to know how to do it effectively. Consider the pointers below.

Do not appear too needy.

Avoid messaging people consecutively. Appearing too needy or demanding may just prompt them to hold back. Just go with the flow of things and let them take place naturally.

Maintain the flow of conversations.

Focus on talking about your mutual interests. Asking earnest questions will also do.

Create your online profile.

Pick a username that explains who you are as a person. Then, include your passions, hobbies, what you are expecting upon joining a certain virtual space, and so on. You may also add a line that says you are glad for people to communicate with you.

Be careful online.

Remember that meeting strangers online can pose risks, and safety should always be prioritized.

Strategies That Balances friendships With Academic Priorities

Balancing friendships and academics can be challenging, especially for online college students who juggle multiple responsibilities. Here are some strategies to foster friendships without compromising academic goals:

• Set Academic Boundaries: Dedicate specific hours each day for studies and set boundaries around these times. Communicate your study schedule with friends to minimize interruptions and keep your focus on academics during peak study times.
• Incorporate Study Friendships: Building study-focused friendships can boost academic productivity while fostering social connections. Create virtual study sessions with friends who have similar schedules or study goals, helping each other stay motivated.
• Schedule Regular Social Check-ins: Allocate specific times during the week to catch up with friends. Knowing you have dedicated time for socializing can help you stay focused on studies without feeling isolated.
• Use a Digital Planner: Utilize digital planners or time-management apps to organize academic tasks and social plans. Visualizing your schedule can help you see where you have room for both friendships and schoolwork.
• Be Transparent About Priorities: Let your friends know that academics are a priority. This way, they understand when you’re unavailable, and they can support your goals while respecting your time.
• Engage in Academic Clubs or Study Groups: Join online clubs or study groups related to your field of study. This creates a natural balance, as it allows you to make friends who share similar academic interests, blending social and academic time.
• Practice Self-Care to Avoid Burnout: Managing both academics and friendships can be tiring. Ensure you get adequate rest, maintain healthy habits, and set aside downtime to recharge. Taking care of yourself will make it easier to handle both your academic workload and social connections.

How Can Advanced Academic Opportunities Deepen Your Online Connections?

Pursuing advanced academic endeavors can integrate you into niche communities and provide access to experts in your field. Engaging in further studies encourages networking with individuals who share research interests, motivating collaborative projects and deeper intellectual discussions. In particular, enrolling in part time PhD programs can supplement your online learning experience by offering structured environments for mentorship and peer support. This strategic academic commitment not only broadens your knowledge but also strengthens the quality and sustainability of your online relationships.

How Can Digital Collaboration Tools Amplify Online Academic and Social Engagement?

Interactive digital platforms create dynamic environments that extend beyond traditional online classrooms. They offer real-time communication features, virtual breakout rooms, and collaborative forums that enhance academic engagement while fostering genuine connections among peers. These tools enable students to coordinate group projects, exchange constructive feedback, and participate in interactive learning sessions that bridge geographical and temporal gaps. Additionally, institutions that integrate innovative tech solutions empower learners to build robust networks and develop critical professional skills, paving the way for accelerated academic progress as seen in programs like a fast track bachelor's degree.

What Are the Common Challenges of Building Online Friendships?

Online interactions can sometimes fall short of face-to-face connections due to miscommunication, time zone differences, and the lack of nonverbal cues. These challenges may lead to misunderstandings or feelings of isolation. To overcome these obstacles, prioritize clear and consistent communication and schedule regular virtual meet-ups to foster a sense of continuity. Embracing digital etiquette and practicing active listening can also enhance mutual understanding. Additionally, engaging in structured academic environments—such as part time PhD programs—may provide organized support systems and networking opportunities that help mitigate these challenges.

How Can Online Certifications Strengthen Your Academic and Social Profile?

Integrating verified online qualifications into your educational journey can forge new discussion points and create pathways for mutual academic and professional growth. Earning certificates you can get online advances your expertise while inviting opportunities for structured networking and collaboration within your digital community. These credentials serve as tangible markers of skill proficiency, fostering credibility among peers and providing common ground for in-depth, topic-focused dialogues that enrich both your academic experience and career prospects.

Can Online Degrees Translate to Enhanced Career and Financial Outcomes?

Online degrees have become a strategic tool for achieving long-term career advancement and financial stability. Accredited online programs offer adaptable learning schedules that enable students to acquire advanced skill sets while maintaining professional commitments. These programs emphasize the development of digital proficiency and problem-solving skills, highly valued in today’s competitive job market. Evaluating education pathways through reliable benchmarks, such as the quickest degree with highest pay, can provide insights into potential returns on investment and inform strategic career decisions.

How Do Affordable Online Bachelor's Programs Expand Your Academic and Social Horizons?

Affordable online bachelor's programs not only lessen financial burdens but also promote diversity in the digital classroom. Access to most affordable online bachelor's degree programs can enable a broader spectrum of students to enroll, thereby enriching the community with varied perspectives and cultural backgrounds. This inclusivity supports innovative academic discussions and collaborative projects while fostering robust networking opportunities. Additionally, institutions offering budget-friendly programs often invest in advanced digital platforms designed to enhance interaction, engagement, and professional connectivity among peers.

Make Your Overall College Experience Worthwhile—Even Online

Many students look forward to attending college. Friendships formed at these times normally last for years and relationships made with peers and professors can prompt one’s professional path and life milestones (Leal, 2020). Having someone to talk to or share things with can give you a new and redefining experience and positively affect your quality of life.

Technology is here for a number of reasons. Among them is being able to make friends wherever they may be in the world, more so your peers in online universities or courses in online certificate programs.

Key Insights

• Emotional and Psychological Benefits: Online friendships offer emotional and psychological advantages similar to face-to-face friendships, making them beneficial for people with social anxiety or shyness.
• Significance of Mutual Help: Mutual help in friendships fosters egalitarian relationships, which are essential for adolescents to feel comfortable and maintain longer-lasting friendships.
• Creating Vicinity Online: Engaging in virtual social clubs, internships, sports leagues, and volunteer work can help recreate the sense of community found in traditional campuses.
• Active Engagement: Actively participating in social platforms and not waiting for the right time to make friends can significantly improve one's social experience in an online learning environment.
• Stepping Out of Comfort Zones: Trying to make friends with people different from oneself and stepping out of comfort zones gradually can lead to enriching and diverse friendships.
• Balancing Online Presence: Maintaining a balance between being available and not appearing too needy is crucial for fostering genuine online friendships.

FAQ

1. Why is making friends online important for college students? Making friends online is important for college students because it provides emotional and psychological support, helps combat loneliness and social anxiety, and enriches the overall college experience. Friendships also play a crucial role in academic and personal development.
2. How can I create a sense of community as an online college student? You can create a sense of community by joining virtual social clubs, participating in online events, engaging in sports leagues, volunteering, and attending in-person classes or internships when possible. Engaging with students in your online degree program can also help build connections.
3. What are some effective ways to start making friends online? Start by being proactive and attending online events or joining groups related to your interests. Be kind, open, and approachable. Share your interests and look for study buddies or people to attend events with. Actively participate in social platforms and introduce yourself to others.
4. How can I maintain online friendships effectively? Maintain online friendships by keeping the conversation going, sharing mutual interests, and being supportive. Avoid appearing too needy by not messaging people consecutively. Schedule regular virtual meetups or in-person meetings when possible to strengthen the bond.
5. What should I include in my online profile to attract friends? Your online profile should include a username that reflects your personality, details about your passions and hobbies, and what you are looking for in a virtual space. Mention that you are open to communication to invite others to connect with you.
6. How can I overcome the awkwardness of initial online conversations? Overcome awkwardness by showing genuine interest in the other person. Ask earnest questions, listen actively, and share your experiences. Focus on finding common interests and building a natural connection.
7. Is it important to step out of my comfort zone to make friends online? Yes, stepping out of your comfort zone is important to meet new people and experience personal growth. Start small by trying new things and gradually expanding your social interactions.
8. How can I ensure my safety when making friends online? Ensure your safety by being cautious when sharing personal information and meeting strangers online. Verify the authenticity of online profiles and use reputable platforms. Avoid meeting in private or isolated places and inform someone you trust about your plans.
9. What are some tips for making long-lasting online friendships? Long-lasting online friendships can be fostered by being consistent, supportive, and understanding. Share your thoughts and feelings openly, participate in shared activities, and make an effort to stay in touch regularly. Show appreciation for the friendship and be there for your friends during difficult times.
10. How can making friends online improve my college experience? Making friends online can improve your college experience by providing a support network, enhancing your social life, and creating opportunities for collaboration and shared learning. Friendships can lead to personal growth, increased motivation, and a more enjoyable and fulfilling college journey.

References:

• Contreras, S. (2018, May 28). 4 Tips for Making Friends in Your Online Class. Arizona State University.
• Endsley, A. (2019, November 22). How to Make Friends as an Online College Student. Pearson.
• Leal, L. (2020, August 26). The online student’s guide to making friends and finding peers in the age of COVID. Medium.
• Manning, A. (2021, March 3). Making Friends in College During a Pandemic. Best Colleges.
• van Rijsewijk, L. G. M. et al. (2019). The Interplay Between Adolescents’ Friendships and the Exchange of Help: A Longitudinal Multiplex Social Network Study. Journal of Research on Adolescence.
• Think Impact. (n.d.). eLearning Statistics. Think Impact.
• University of the People. (n.d.). How to Make Friends Online. University of the People.