Some Humber students said it can be a struggle to connect with other students at the North campus, a commuter school that draws in thousands of students each year.
First-year Landscape Technician student Quinn Jeynes said they have found it difficult to make friends since the semester started.
“And we, none of us, have really talked much, I don't think. Today was the first day we exchanged numbers, and we've been here for, like, a week and a half," Jeynes said.
Jeynes said their long commute makes it harder to interact with others and attend events or spend extra time on campus.
“It takes me a bit to get home, like, about an hour and 20-ish minutes. So, I'm more preoccupied with figuring out when I want to be home than actually, like, looking around and interacting with people."
Yaksh Patel, a second-year student in the Electrical Engineering program, said he feels isolated after many of his classmates switched to a shorter version of his program.
“Because I'm in a three-year program, and I have an option to make it, like, a two-year program. So, all of my friends just left now,” Patel said.
He said he feels nervous talking in large groups, so it's harder for him to be more social in his program. He's a team lead at his workplace, yet he feels the disconnect at Humber.
“It’s made me realize how important it is to be more friendly and to be able to find friends more easily. Because you appreciate the time you had with your friends after they are not there anymore,” he said.
Digital Content Creator at Humber’s Health and Wellness Centre, Krysti Jaglal, said the centre provides a place for students to connect and advises students to be patient, that friendships will happen.
“I think, especially with college and university, you don't know everyone, and that, to me, is one of the scariest things on the planet, because, in elementary school, middle school, and high school, you kind of know who you're going to meet, even when you switch between grades," she said.
"You have a big idea, like these are the people from schools all going here, and now, all of a sudden, you could be walking down the hall at Humber, and you'll meet someone,” Jaglal said.
The Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It offers students opportunities to meet and engage. More information can be found on its Instagram site, SWCHumber.
Jagal said students struggling to find their place shouldn't be afraid to share their personal interests.
“I would say don't be afraid to share your personal interests, because sometimes when I want to talk to people, in my head, I just think that because what I like might not be the same as what other people are into, they're gonna ice me out or think it's weird," she said.
"But no, find something that you're passionate about and be like, 'Hey, have you seen this show?' And if they're like, 'No," you can just be like, 'Oh, really?'” Jagal said.
