How to Introduce Yourself in College as a Student (With 10+ Examples)

Going to college can be an intimidating experience, especially when you have to introduce yourself to a whole new group of people.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make sure your introduction leaves a lasting positive impression on your classmates and professors.

Here are some tips on how to introduce yourself in college as a student.

Mention an accomplishment or a career-related element that you have developed or mastered

My college students often ask me for help with networking, and I typically ask them a few questions.

First, I ask them to describe their dream career — not their dream job. When we talk about a career, this is when interests, passions, and what drives their mission beyond simply talking about the work they do for an employer.

Second, I ask them to share an accomplishment or artifact from their college journey up to this point. Too many times, students just talk about what grade they earned in professor so-and-so’s class.

This is where I stop them and ask about a project, a collaboration, teamwork, leadership, or an accomplishment that they can discuss.

The reality is that introducing one’s self as a college student to others in the same group does little to convey what makes you unique or what value you bring to an activity.

My recommendation is for students to strive to create an item or two discussing an accomplishment in each course they complete.

Don’t get me wrong… I am not saying that you carry around a resumé all over campus for this, but if you are able to put your thoughts on your accomplishments onto paper like these, then not only are you ahead of the game the next time you apply for a grant or a position.

But you have multiple ways of avoiding the minimal perspective that you are only a college student.

Be conference friendly

My college students often ask me for help with networking, and this conversation includes conferences.

Students think that they are not qualified to go to a conference or that they would not be able to network due to being college students.

A few things to consider — first, conferences related to most fields are held every year in major cities, including those close to universities. These conferences offer incredible discounts on student rates and even student memberships.

Beyond the ability to hear from leaders in the field, students should take advantage of student socials, career boards, and the exhibitor halls, where employers are often having recruiters on-hand to talk with students.

Here are great opportunities to learn about companies, people, and issues that matter to them, but to note the key players and even collect business cards and literature about them.

This gives students an advantage in planning, prioritizing, and even practicing how they introduce themselves.

Another tip I offer is to go online and create business cards to take with them. They don’t cost too much and are a great tool for introductions and for asking for a card in return.

After returning home from a conference, take the additional step of looking up the people who gave you their business cards on LinkedIn, following them, and even sending a connection request.

Related: How to Network on LinkedIn

Also, consider sending them an email thanking them for their time, complimenting them for their presentation, or even being as bold as to reiterate that you value their thoughts on the next steps in the transition from college student to a leader in that field.

One of the greatest opportunities presented to students in college is the opportunity to start fresh.

Students can be surrounded by literally thousands of others on campus which can be both amazing and amazingly overwhelming.

You are new among your peers and your professors, and that leads to an important question: “How do I introduce myself as a student to the people in my new college community?“

Here are three pieces to lean on as you dive into these new relationships.

Put yourself out there; go with an open mind and open-ended questions

College provides dozens of opportunities per week to meet others. Not only in your classes but in your dorm, the gym, the library, the dining hall, the student center — you name it.

Colleges also have many student organization meetings and student-centered activities.

Put yourself out there; nobody says you have to attend every event. And nobody says just because you go to one event; you have to go to every following similar event.

This brings me to my second point.

Take an interest in others; ask them about themselves

American writer Dale Carnegie said, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

Even if you’re social and outgoing, you can help break the ice with your peers by asking them about themselves.

Bonus: this also works when getting to know your professors and other adults on campus.

Be yourself

Let’s face it. Introducing yourself to new people can feel unnatural and intimidating. At your core, you know how to do one thing better than anyone else on the planet: You know how to be yourself.

As Aladdin’s great Genie of the Lamp advised his love-stricken friend, “Be yourself.”

Ask to sit with others in the dining hall and laugh at their conversation. Ask a neighbor if they want to come to check their mailbox with you.

You don’t have to talk the whole time, and that’s OK. Start with something you know, or admit that you’re trying to meet new people and go from there. You’re definitely not alone in that adventure.

And if you don’t feel something click one day, you have many days ahead of you to try again or try differently.

Nowhere will you be surrounded by so many others who are excited to live and learn in this new student-centered community as you will in college.

The key is to bring up a similarity quickly

When you’re in college, it’s about preparing yourself for your future career. A lot of times, that means expanding your network is just as important as what you’re learning.

In university, networking is typically comprised of three types of individuals: peers, professors, and professionals already established in your field.

But how do you introduce yourself to these different types of individuals?

Introducing yourself to peers

Start by thinking about how you like to be approached. It never hurts to start with a compliment. “Hi! I love your Zelda shirt. I’m a big fan, too! Did you play Breath of the Wild?”

Once a conversation has started, it’s easy to exchange names and even contact information.

Introducing yourself to professors

Typically, you’re introducing yourself to a professor for a reason, so lead with it.

For example, “Hi, Professor Smith. My name is John. I’m in your Chemistry 101 class, so I wanted to introduce myself.”

Alternatively, “Hi, Professor Patel! My name is Sally. I recently read your paper on quantum computing and was wondering if you had a few minutes to discuss it with me.”

Introducing yourself to professionals

A great way to get ahead in the job market is to do networking and get advice from people in your target industry before you get there.

If you go to a talk or are at a job fair and are interested in making a connection, consider asking them to be a mentor, whether formally or informally. “Hi, Mr. Wang! My name is Jane. Could I ask you a few questions about the talk you just gave?”

Alternatively, “Hi, Ms. Cortez! My name is Peter. I’m interested in being a politician, just like you. Would you be willing to meet with me for 15 minutes every month to give me some advice?”

Whomever you’re looking to make a connection with, the key is to bring up a similarity quickly, so they feel drawn to you rather than bothered by the interruption.

It can help to practice, so if you struggle to talk to people you don’t know, consider hiring a mentor to work with you through the problem. As a career mentor, this is one of the many skills I help people master.

Related: 75+ Great Questions to Ask Your Mentor (The Ultimate List)

When it comes to introducing yourself, did you know that they see you before they hear you?

And what they see from you will interpret the meaning of your words. Since we can say a lot without speaking, it’s important for us to blend our body language with our spoken language.

Here are some examples of how you can intentionally blend your non-verbal with verbals to introduce yourself to your peers and professors that will leave an unforgettable good first impression.

Emit confidence vibes

Emit confidence vibes by extending a firm handshake, fist bump, or elbow bump (depending on what you are comfortable with), and genuine smile while saying, “Hello, my name is…”

Keep in mind that “hello” can also be “hey,” “what’s happening,” “what’s popping,” “what’s good,” “what’s up,” or any other words that your culture/peers use.

To present with confidence, it is important to feel comfortable and genuine.

Be armed with a fun fact about yourself

Fun facts are unique skills (I can cook), hobbies (I like to write), interests, or personality traits (i.e., I’m an extrovert/introvert).

Oh, and don’t forget to mention where you are from. This will give off the impression that you are open to continuing the conversation and invites the other person to share with you.

An example of this is also saying, “Hello, I’m [your name], or they call me [your name] and I [fun fact].”

Related: How to Come up With Interesting Facts About Yourself

Talk about what major you are in

Lastly, talk about what major you’re in, and if you’re still deciding on a major, talk about what you are most interested in learning.

Remember to bring along your smile, handshake, elbow or fist bump, and uncrossed arms and hands out of your pockets.

There is nothing exciting in life like embarking on a new journey! It could be learning how to drive, bake, or perhaps set off on a career path.

Similarly, many of us get thrilled when it comes to joining a new college, whether within our localities or abroad. Setting foot on the college premises for the first time is exciting but terrifying at the same time.

First of all, you will be excited about meeting new people, making new friends, advancing academically, and landing opportunities.

However, amidst all that, there is a dilemma that comes with self-introduction. “How should I introduce myself to my classmates, what words should I use, or what standing posture should I adopt?”

Wondering how you can introduce yourself in college? Here is how to go about it.

Whether it’s introducing yourself in front of the college principal, classroom, or around the college premises, there are two major things to keep in mind.

Exude self-confidence

Self-confidence is associated with a myriad of competencies. Being confident about yourself doesn’t mean you’re perfect, nor does it require you to play a deaf ear to your flaws. But it’s about embracing yourself without projecting others as insignificant.

Confidence is a healthy conscience, and it can help you overcome the phobia of public speaking in case you have it.

You will even feel less intimidated by the new faces you come across in the initial phase of your college life.

Maintain eye contact

Effective communication occurs where there is proper eye contact. Apart from developing a connection with your audience, maintaining eye contact can also help you feel less anxious.

If you’re generally terrified about meeting new people, try practicing while alone or in front of your friends.

Note: Public speaking etiquette doesn’t come accidentally. It is through continuous practice and interaction with different groups of people and ages.

A self-introduction in college mainly involves telling people about yourself, your educational background, and your academic goals.

Starting college can be an intimidating time in your life. I know it was for me— despite my parent’s reassurances, I was totally panicking about meeting a whole bunch of new people and living with strangers for the first time.

My parents, for all their efforts, had never been to college, and I know I would have really appreciated some advice from someone who had at that point.

Here goes with mine:

Relax and be yourself

I know a lot of people think of college as a great time and place to ‘reinvent themselves,’ and that’s fine if that’s what you want to do.

But don’t feel like you have to; there is space in college for every different type of person, from the sport obsessed to the musical and creative and everything in between.

Remember, this isn’t school anymore— there aren’t ‘cool kids’ and ‘nerds,’ just different people with different interests.

The more you relax and be yourself, the quicker you will connect with like-minded people.

I should say this, though. You won’t get anywhere at college by being quiet as a mouse, so you absolutely do need to put yourself out there and talk. In fact, be prepared to do a lot of talking.

People say you should smooth your transition to college by joining a bunch of clubs and societies, and sure, that does work, but talking a lot works too.

I practically pestered my way into a friendship group in college, chatting to them, suggesting activities, etc., and that persistence paid off. I’m still great friends with them all these years later.

Be friendly, articulate, and concise

One of the most important things you’ll do is introduce yourself to your professors and classmates. This task may seem daunting, but with a few simple tips, you’ll be on your way to making great first impressions.

When introducing yourself in college, it’s important to be friendly, articulate, and concise. You should also make sure to include any relevant information about your educational background or professional experience.

When you’re introducing yourself, start by saying your name and then give a brief explanation of who you are and what you’re studying. For example, you might say, “Hi, my name is Sarah, and I’m an English major.”

If you have any relevant work experience, you can also mention that in your introduction. For example, you might say, “I’ve interned at a publishing company, so I’m interested in a career in editing.”

When you’re introducing yourself to your professors, it’s also important to be respectful and professional. Make sure to use proper titles and honorifics when you’re speaking to them.

Related: How to Introduce Yourself Professionally (With 50+ Samples)

Finally, remember that first impressions are important, but they’re not everything. If you don’t make the best first impression, don’t worry — you’ll have plenty of other opportunities to get to know your classmates and professors throughout the semester.

Decide what you want to do and meet like-minded people

Since people typically begin college right after high school, many new college students are still stuck in a social clique mentality.

For instance, they may feel a need to join Greek life to feel like they are part of a close-knit community.

While joining a sorority or fraternity can be a great experience for some, this is not the only way to meet people in college. College is a time to find yourself through the classes you enjoy and activities that genuinely spark your interest.

Rather than clinging to any group out of desperation, decide what you want to do and meet like-minded people.

For example, if you enjoy history classes and are considering majoring in history, introduce yourself to the people you meet through those classes.

For instance, you could say, “Hi, I’m [Name]. Are you a history major?” or, “Are you enjoying this class?” You should focus on finding the commonalities you share with these people to keep the conversation rolling.

You may have difficulty making friends if you merely introduce yourself to anyone, especially if you do not have much in common with them.

This is why you should focus on discovering your interests and introduce yourself to people who pursue the same classes and activities.