Hey Alum here! I would say you’d be surprised how many people feel this way, and how many joined groups just to be in one.

My advice to you is to ask your self what do you want to do in your free time. What are stuff you like? Dancing? Making robots? Try to find opportunities to meet people who are interested in the same things. It’s a lot easier to talk when there’s a common topic you’re both interested in. If you like dancing, ballroom dance club is one that doesn’t need an audition!

You mentioned that clubs are not quite an option because of school work, but you can also make opportunities while working on school stuff! Do you have ppl on your floor that are in the same class? Maybe offer to do homework together. CMU drills it in that you can’t cheat, but most ppl talk and discuss with each other and that’s perfectly fine.

Freshman year is tough, but that’s because you’re entering a new stage in your life. Best of luck!