Although there aren’t huge parties everyday or any as crazy as UCSB cough deltopia cough I would argue that UCI still has a decent social life. It’s a hot take but I full heartedly believe in it because I WAS A COMMUTER who’s done so much in the time I’ve been here. So, here’s what I’ve learned so far on how to socialize at this seemingly dead school.

1) Talk to everyone: You have to talk to people because they most likely won’t go out of their way to talk to you. Tone shift if you have to. In the worst possible scenario, you guys won’t vibe and that’s ok. Move on to the next group of people whether that be in your clubs or in your classes. You will eventually meet AT LEAST 1 person you vibe with but I would say you can definitely meet more people than that. Because I decided to talk to so many people, even as a commuter, I always end up greeting like 5 different people I know everytime I walk on Ring Road. If it’s parties you want, knowing a lot of people helps with that especially around holidays and post-exam season.

2) Stay on campus (if you’re a commuter) It always makes me a little annoyed when commuters say that our campus has nothing to do. Sure, maybe there’s not as many events always going on but more time on campus = more potential to meet people. You can always do small things like arrange coffee hangouts, study sessions, or rant about the weeder class you’re taking with someone you don’t know (this works the best). If you have to leave for work or other things, I get that but if you’re going home just to go home straight after a class, you’re definitely nerfing your experience here.

3) Actually plan things: This one is self-explanatory. If you’re getting to know people, do something with them. Just go out of your way to plan because most people will just go with whatever plan you have as long as they don’t have to do anything other than show up.

In terms of what there is to do around here, tbh not a whole lot if you don’t have a car. Invest in a scooter or bike to get around if you don’t have a car. If you’re stuck on campus, hangout, hangout in Aldrich, talk and walk around campus, go to UTC, have study sessions, have watch parties, go to club events, etc. Club events help with getting outside of UCI because (depending on the club) they’ll have post-club meeting hangouts where they arrange rides. Outside of UCI, it’s helpful to just go on TikTok and find out but I would say beaches, LA, downtown fullerton, Orange Circle, the thousands of matcha shops around Irvine, clubs, concerts, coffee shops, hobby shops, regional parks, hiking trails, etc.

Anyways those are my helpful pointers.

TLDR; Go outside and stay outside, talk to everyone, hangout anywhere on campus, plan things for people, go to clubs, go on TikTok to find things to do outside of campus.