[zoomablemind]

>...When you are a freshman, everyone is in the same boat as you, trying to piece together a new group of friends.

My experience too. It may seem that everyone else is somehow already plugged-in, but it's just an appearance. Making some acquaintances is a first step to potential friends.

I would not be relying heavily on the need to share something in common - free time and attention is already common enough. All it takes to "socialize" is to ask anyone from your fellow cohort about what they're doing tonight a few times then ask to come along, if not already being invited to join. Turns out boring or not your thing, well, at least now you've got a "shared" experience and a reason to reciprocate and invite someone to do things your way.

Another idea is to join some hiking (or similar outdoors) group. This gives you an extended time in a group, so naturally some conversations open the avenues to do things together beyond hiking. Also, it helps to hook up with some folks from the next college year, kinda piggy back into their circles.

Finally, just do your thing in the spririt of "Build it and they'll come!". After all it's your time, make it fun for yourself to live through it.

Good luck!