For many students, attending a traditional four-year university means built-in opportunities for freshmen to build relationships, with events through Greek life, clubs, and campus activities. But for students choosing nontraditional post-secondary paths, like trade school, community college, or the military, making friends can look much different.
In traditional four-year colleges, students often rely on clubs, sports, or campus programs to build connections. “If you’re going into a trade school or a technical school to learn a specific skill, right there you’ve already narrowed your group of people who are already interested in the same things you are,” Edina College and Career Center specialist Molly Thuma said.
Unlike large universities, many nontraditional schools don’t offer the same extent of extracurriculars and social events. This can make the process of meeting people less structured. However, students do more small group, collaborative lessons, which can help them form relationships.
For students commuting from home rather than living on campus, Thuma puts emphasis on the importance of showing up in person. “Do your classes on campus. Don’t do online school unless you absolutely have to because that’s where you’re going to meet people,” Thuma said.
Aaliyah Moser is a senior heading to PCI Academy, a cosmetology school in Plymouth, Minnesota. She isn’t too worried about the social side of her new chapter in life. “I don’t think it’ll be hard,” Moser said. “I think we all have the same type of personality, just because we’re all studying the same major.”
Moser plans to find new friends by just being natural and being genuine. “Find someone who looks really cool and go up to them,” she said.
As for keeping in touch with her friends from high school, Moser is optimistic. “Social media, texting: I’m not worried we’ll fall out of touch,” she said.
Thuma had one piece of advice for those who are worried about losing their high school friends after they graduate. “Give grace to your friends if things aren’t quite syncing,” she said. “They just might be in another stage in their life.”
Whether the path leads to a four-year university, a trade program, or somewhere else, some things remain true; connection and friendship are possible anywhere. It only requires showing up, confidence, and being yourself.
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on May 19, 2026
