Get a copy of your college-orientation schedule. Familiarize yourself with the schedule of events, as some will be mandatory and others optional.
Review the schedule of events and check off any that interest you. You will want to be sure to attend these events. For example, the University of Rochester holds an ice cream social on the first day of orientation to kick off a week of social activities. Other social activities generally include a game or movie night.
Call or meet your new roommate prior to orientation. College can be intimidating for even the most confident individual, so having a partner to attend events with can ease any anxiety you might have.
Smile and introduce yourself to people at each event. Find something interesting to say to another person as an ice breaker. For example, you can ask someone where he is from or compliment his shirt or her handbag choice. Or you can wear something distinctive, such as your high school sweatshirt or a funky pin, to attract interest to yourself.
Sign up for extracurricular activities, such as clubs and sports teams. These are a place to meet people with similar interests. Fraternities and sororities are a social network linking you to campus and community activities.
Make a goal to say "Hello" or meet one new person per week. Your dorm, the quad, the library and the cafeteria are places to flex your social muscles and meet potential new friends.
Keep an open mind, be confident and ask questions of others. Demonstrating an interest in other people can go a long way to initiating and keeping lifelong friendships.