Undecided/Undeclared Anteaters Blog

Hallmates are the people you will be living with for the rest of theyear. All of you have something in common and that is you live in the same hall, and your relationship can grow if you put effort into it. Even if none of your hallmates are in any of your classes, it shouldn’t stop you from befriending them. It is a good idea to try to at least know people who are in your suite, because you might never know when you will need help/advice/a shoulder to cry on, etc.

The boys/girls who live in your suite should be easy enough to befriend, because you would usually come into the most contact with them on a daily basis. There is the front door neighbor, the next door neighbor, the two doors town neighbor, etc. Here are some suggestions as to how to boost your points with each person, eventually allowing you to become actual friends with them. As always, choose your friends wisely and put your trust in the people you feel that you can rely on.

1. Introduce yourself.
1. This is something I saw a girl in my suite did on the very first night of our being there and I thought it was a great idea. When you think it is appropriate (when everyone is in their rooms), go to every single door in your suite and just knock. Introduce yourself when they answer. Give them a cheery hello, “my name is…”, and “I live in Room ___”. It’s a good way for people to just get to know you fundamentally, and because you took the initiative of going to them first, it makes them feel more comfortable to come and talk to you later.

1. Say hello.
• Even if you are going to the bathroom or just walking to your class, if you are in your hallway and you see another mate be sure to say hello. Saying hello every time ensures–usually–that they will remember you, and they might start a conversation with you, which in turn could lead to a whole list of other things. Even if they don’t know your name, you will still be “that mate who says hi to me all the time”, and eventually they will probably ask for your name.
2. Get involved with hall activities.
• Each hall usually has different activities that they do as a group on a weekly basis. Though you do not have to go to them, as they are not mandatory, it is a nice way to get to know the other people who are in your hall and not in your suite. Since everyone is doing one activity (perhaps playing video games, baking cookies, watching a movie), you already have something you could mutually talk about. These activities also open up opportunities for you to knock on your neighbor’s door and ask if they want to join you, giving you another free ticket to making friends without feeling awkward.

1. Bake/Cook something…
• …and offer it to everyone in your suite (or just a few people if you don’t want to make too much food). It has always been said that food is the best way for people to bond, so this sounds like a wonderfully cute idea. Maybe during midterms week or the week before Thanksgiving you could bake a batch of cookies and offer a small bag to each person in your suite. Not only will it be a nice way for you to show them that you want to be better neighbors, it is also a nice surprise that might just make their day.

1. Clubs/Organisations.
• The possibility of you running into a hallmate at one of your club meetings isn’t all too unlikely. I made friends with someone who lives in my hall (but not my suite) thanks to our Students For Animals and Pets meetings. In my case, SFAP is a nice way to socialise with that particular hallmate because sometimes I just don’t have the time to go to her suite. Once again, the club/organisation will open about give another form of common ground for you and your hallmate. You already live in the same hall, now you’re in the same club? That highly suggests that you are interested in the same thing, a conversation can surely start this way!

Hallmates are potential friends who will make your first year as a student of UCI an even better experience that it already should be. Like said before, they will be living with you for the rest of the year, and there are so many things you can do as buddies. Some hang out ideas will be addressed in my next post. For now, have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!!

~Vanda.