Making friends at Northeastern University

Northeastern is unusual because the co-op program means your friends are constantly leaving and returning. The rhythm of social life is different from a traditional school. You cannot rely on one semester staying the same, so you need to build friendships that survive co-op cycles, summer departures, and rotating schedules. ## Use the first few weeks intensively The first few weeks of the semester are when everyone is resetting. New classes, new co-ops, new roommates. This is the best time to make friends because everyone is also looking for new connections. Go to the orientation events, the club fairs, and the dorm mixers. Even the awkward ones matter. ## Co-op is social, not just professional Your co-op cohort, the people you live with during co-op, and the office you join are all social environments. Some of the strongest Northeastern friendships come from co-op, not class. Treat your co-op as a place to build relationships, not just a resume line. ## Build around the campus anchors Northeastern's campus is in Fenway, near the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fens, and the South End. The student center, the gym, and the library are the main campus social anchors. The students who do well have one or two places they visit every week, whether that is a club, a study spot, or a fitness class. ## Join organizations that survive the co-op cycle Clubs and organizations that continue during co-op terms are the best for long-term friendships. Professional societies, performance groups, and cultural organizations often have upperclassmen who are on campus across semesters. These groups provide continuity that can be missing from class-based friendships. ## Your first month plan - **Week 1:** Meet three people on your floor and exchange contact info. - **Week 2:** Attend three student organization meetings. Pick one to commit to. - **Week 3:** Find a study group or a co-op prep group. Academic pressure is a great friendship accelerator. - **Week 4:** Plan one off-campus event with your new group: dinner in the South End, a museum visit, or a walk in the Fens. ## Common questions - **Is it hard to make friends with co-op schedules?** It can be, but the friendships that form are often stronger because they have to survive interruptions. - **What if I am on co-op while my friends are in class?** Stay in touch through messages, and plan one in-person event when schedules overlap. It gets easier with practice. - **What is the best social group for freshmen?** The first-year dorm is the best starting point. Most freshmen are on the same schedule. - **How do I meet upperclassmen?** Clubs, co-op prep, and mentorship programs are the easiest ways. - **What if I am a graduate student?** Grad student life is more centered on the department and lab. Find your cohort and the graduate student organizations.