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I'm a senior in college now and can talk to new people pretty easily now. My history:
1. Bullied in high school
2. No friends in high school
3. Absolutely no social skills
So basically I know what it's like to not having ANY social skills. When I got to college, it really was like fishOutOfWater. Here are some things to get conversations started.
1. Major
a. what made them want to do it
b. what they plan to do with that degree
2. Classes
a. how is the professor
b. is it easy or hard
c. upcoming tests or papers
3. Where they live
a. roommates
b. is it nice/convenient
c. how's the commute
4. Their weekends
The above topics are pretty fluffy, but help get things moving. I think the most important thing to do is to get them to talk about the people in their life. I've posted about this before, but I still think it's really important. Get them to a level in the conversation where you can "neutral gossip". Get them to talk about the people in their lives in a neutral way. Not bad gossip, just neutral gossip. When you talk about other people with someone, it builds ... a weird but friendship level bond. That's how I do it. Seems to work ok, but I know my social skills can still really be a lot better. Anyone have comments on this post?
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