Transitioning from high school to college can be frightening. It sure was for me. I lived in a small town with an even smaller Jewish community and I wasn’t sure how I would fit in with the rest of the world. I had very little experience with people outside my community and I was worried how I’d handle it. I knew that it was crucial to meet other Jewish students wherever I went.
It can be a pretty tough transition—you’re starting a brand new chapter in your life, you’ll be living independently for the first time, making new friends, and making difficult choices every day.
To make this transition easier, it’s important to surround yourself with Jewish students who not only share the same beliefs and ideals but are probably also struggling with the same conflicts. Choosing a school and community with Jewish programs and local synagogues can strengthen your faith and help you make new friends as you begin a lifelong journey into adulthood.
Here are a few tips on how to meet other Jewish students on your college campus:
- Search for colleges with Jewish organizations
Picking the right school can be a challenge. Besides academics, cost and location, there are many other variables to consider. Look into student organizations and clubs by visiting websites of large, urban, and liberal schools, which are more likely to have a broad range of activities.
The largest and most recognizable Jewish campus organization is Hillel International, established in 550 colleges around the world, with a website that includes a list of the top schools Jews chose this past year. Having Hillel at a college was something I would always check first when looking into schools, and it ended up being my deciding factor in choosing one school over another. In fact, I started my college search with the Hillel list and didn’t even consider other options, even if there were some that were closer to home.
- Research the geographical area
Certain locations in the United States are more densely populated with Jews than others. Take a look at the map below for a detailed, visual example.
Notice how some areas have little to no percentage of Jewish residents. That’s where I grew up. It was a small town in southern Illinois, about 4 hours south of Chicago. Living in those areas might isolate you from Jewish communities, so searching for colleges in the dark, clustered areas — which are mostly urban locations — might be your best option. However, if bustling cities like New York aren’t for you, smaller areas in states like Colorado, Michigan and Maryland also have higher percentages of Jewish residents. I had to move a little farther away from home than I originally wanted to, but it was well worth it.
I didn’t just move a couple hours, I went across the country. See that dark area on the map in Florida? That was my new home. It was amazing to meet so many other Jewish students and people in my day to day life. Even at my part time job at Dr. Snooze, a local mattress score, I met far more Jewish customers than I ever did it my time in small-town Illinois.
Choosing a school in a Jewish community is helpful not only because you’ll make student connections, but also because the community will have local synagogues. Ask your new friends which one they attend, and if they have not been to one, suggest trying a Shabbat service together.
- Stay committed
Once you find a Jewish organization, give it at least six weeks before you make a decision to stay or not. Instead of just filling a seat, ask how to get involved. Participate in extra events and community service for a more fulfilling experience.
Make plans with other Jewish students, perhaps to make traditional meals, study, or hang out at a local coffee shop. The more people you meet, the more roots you’ll develop. For me, one of the best things I ever did was go with my organization to a Mustang rally put on by CJ Pony Parts. I almost didn’t go since I didn’t know anything about cars, but that meant that I had plenty of questions to ask the other guys in the group. We had a great time and bonded over that trip, and I wouldn’t have been as good friends with them if I didn’t step out of my comfort zone.
5. Don’t Be Afraid To Meet New People
As a new student, you may feel that tendency to keep your door closed, but the best way to find Jewish students like yourself is to put yourself out there! You might surprise yourself by finding friends in unlikely places.
This was my biggest challenge in making the transition to college. I was shy, introverted, and wasn’t interested in the parties that most of the locals enjoyed. I really had to force myself to get out there and meet new people. It was one of the best things I ever did, though, and I’ve made so many great friends that I never would have met from inside my dorm room.
Do your research, find your school and commit to a community. The reward may be a faith-driven, life-defining experience.
Ed Mighell is a student at Rasmussen College.
