July 6 — 8, 2026 (Virtual & In-Person)

Making Friends in College: A 3-Day Summer Program

For Prospective & Current Auburn University Students With Social Fears, Difficulties, & Differences

 

Find Friends On Auburn’s Campus & Learn the Art of Friendship Before Fall Semester!

If you’re a future or current student at Auburn University* who has always struggled to meet people, make friends, and socialize in general, this hybrid summer program will help you make connections with other like-minded students on campus, learn the basic social and relational skills needed to make friendships work, build confidence in the classroom and in group assignments, and form friendships before fall semester starts.

*This program is not affiliated with or endorsed by Auburn University.

Apply for this Program

College is hard enough with the stress of schoolwork, but it’s even harder doing it alone with no community…

The endless homework, deadlines, and tests; the lack of sleep; finding time to eat; and everything else that comes with college life.

What’s worse is that you’ve been doing it all alone with no community or social network, which is something I understand first-hand.

Making friends in Auburn as a college student can be difficult when you experience social difficulties like shyness, social anxiety, for feeling really awkward in social settings.

You feel like you don’t belong anywhere, and you’re not thriving socially like your peers. And even when you do join the various organizations offered by the university, you still struggle to socialize and make friendships happen because of your social fears and difficulties.

And in classroom settings, you’re too afraid to speak up when you have a question and participate in group assignments. You feel like you don’t have anything valuable to say, so you stay quiet and confused instead of asking for what you need help with.

I want to help you fix that by connecting you with other students who experience similar struggles and helping you build your confidence in the classroom.

I’m Caroline, your program organizer and an AU grad class of 2021!

I’m a graduate of Auburn University’s School of Computer Science and Software Engineering class of 2021 and a full-time web developer/software engineer, but I’m also a part-time social confidence coach, the founder and owner of my business, The Introverted Misfit, and the organizer of The Right Fit Community, a social club for adults with social fears, differences, and difficulties based in the Auburn/Opelika area.

I navigated my 4-year degree on AU’s campus pretty well — I got reasonable grades, graduated on time, and stayed out of trouble, but it was a very lonely experience for one reason: I couldn’t seem to make or keep friends. In fact, socializing and building relationships were things I struggled a lot with during all of my schooling years.

The reason for my struggles was something called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1, something I was diagnosed with in my late teens right before high school graduation. Because of my social difficulties and differences, I had trouble meeting and connecting with my peers, and it caused me to have major social anxiety for many years.

My journey to overcome shyness and social anxiety by building my social confidence is the reason I started my business, and my specific experience navigating a large, overwhelming college campus like AU is the reason I created this annual summer program for students with similar social struggles - whether they’re autistic or not.

Caroline’s graduation photo in front of the Shelby Center

Caroline was a member of the AU Marching Band.

Community organizing and social facilitating is what I already do. Now, I’m bringing it to AU students!

As the creator and organizer of The Right Fit Community in Auburn and Opelika AL, which is my club for adults with social fears, differences, and difficulties, I know what it takes to facilitate an environment in which people aren’t afraid to socialize and be themselves, and I know how to connect people with others who are a good fit for them.

I’m taking those same skills and strategies I already use and bringing them to Auburn University students who need an on-campus social network to feel safe, included, and accepted. Plus, this program includes 2 workshops that will teach you practical skills for building and maintaining relationships, and having confidence to participate in the classroom and group assignments.

Image of The Right Fit Community

Image of The Right Fit Community

Image of The Right Fit Community

This hybrid program will give you all the tools and connections you need to form relationships and have a healthy, manageable social life on campus.

This program is something I wish I had access to while I was in college. I know for a fact that having a community who understood my differences and struggles would’ve made college less miserable for me, and that’s exactly what this program will give you, plus some extra tools that will help you in every area of life.

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:

  • Practical social and relationship skills to help you make connections and maintain relationships long-term

  • Confidence-building strategies for speaking up and participating in a classroom setting

  • Valuable relationships and connections that make college way less stressful, less lonely, and more enjoyable

This program is right for you or your loved one if:

  • You are a future or current freshmen, sophomore, or junior at Auburn University. Open to any race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, etc.

  • You experience social difficulties like shyness, social anxiety, social awkwardness, or ASD (low support needs).

  • You want to meet new people, make friends on campus, and learn how to create and maintain relationships long-term.

  • You need confidence-building strategies for speaking up and participating in a classroom setting and group projects.

Program Info & Structure:

This program includes 2 virtual workshops and 1 meet and greet — either virtual or in-person depending on where you are located.

This 3-day program consists of the following:

  • Day 1—Friendship/Relationship Skills Workshop (VIRTUAL) | July 6 from 1—2:30 PM CST via Zoom

    A 1.5-hour engaging virtual workshop where the host will teach some useful friendship- and relationship-building skills.

  • Day 2—Confidence in the Classroom Workshop (VIRTUAL) | July 7 from 1—2 PM CST via Zoom

    A 1.5 hour engaging virtual workshop where the host will teach you some confidence-building strategies for speaking up in class, talking to the professor, participating in group assignments, and overall advocating for yourself so you can achieve academic success.

  • Day 3—Meet and Greet (IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL) | July 8, Virtual from 1—2:30 PM CST (For Both Local and Out-of-Town Enrollees), and In-Person from 6—8 PM CST via Zoom

    The final day is the meet-and-greet where you’ll get to connect with other students, do fun get-to-know-you activities, and exchange contact info. There will be a virtual meet and greet for out-of-town enrollees held virtually via Zoom using the breakout room feature from 1—2:30 PM CST, and in-person enrollees will meet at Well Red: Second Story Coffee Shop and Bookstore in Auburn from 6—8 PM CST.

    If you enroll in the “Virtual & In-Person” option, you will also be allowed to join the virtual meet-and-greet in addition to the in-person one so you can connect with as many students as possible.

    This will be a great opportunity to connect with other students face-to-face, exchange contact info, and bond. In both meet and greets, we’ll do some fun activities that will have you connecting in no time!

Here’s the program information:

  • When: July 6—8, 2026

  • Where: Online via Zoom and In-Person at Well Red: Second Story (Outdoor Patio), 1150 N Donahue Dr, Auburn, AL 36832

    FOR IN-PERSON ENROLLEES: Please be aware that there are 3 different Well Red locations in Auburn, so make sure you go to the “Second Story” location!

  • Who: For prospective and current Auburn University students

  • Cost:

    • Virtual & In-Person: $278.00 (This includes a ticket to all virtual and in-person events — including the virtual meet and greet if you want a chance to socialize with out-of-town enrollees, and one drink and pastry item from Well Red: Second Story during the in-person meet-up)

    • Virtual ONLY (For Out-of-Town Enrollees): $224.00 (This includes a ticket to all virtual events)

Applications for 2026 Are Now OPEN! Apply Below:

Application deadline is July 4!

FAQs

  • This program is for future or current Auburn University freshmen, sophomores, or juniors who have trouble making friends for whatever reason.

  • When the price is finalized, payment will be required upfront in order to reserve your spot. You can get a full refund up to 3 days before the start of the program.

  • The cap for the in-person portion of this program is 40 people.

  • The first two days will be virtual workshops via Zoom focused on friendship-building skills and confidence-building skills to achieve academic success.

    The last day is the in-person meet and greet which I highly recommend you attend to get the full experience out of this workshop.

  • I understand! In the meantime, I highly recommend you do one of the following so you can stay tuned with all of my updates about the program:

    • Go ahead and apply for free using the form above and check the box that says “Sign up for news and updates” so you’ll receive my emails leading up to the event.

    • Follow me on Instagram or Facebook so you can view my content about the program.

  • I will issue full refunds up to 3 days before the start date of the program if you or your loved one can no longer attend. If you miss the deadline for refunds, I offer partial credit towards next year’s program, or partial credit towards one of my 1-on-1 coaching services and programs.

  • No, this program is not affiliated with or endorsed by Auburn University.

    I am a business owner who has experience in community organizing and facilitating in the Auburn Area and I happen to be an AU grad, but this program has no official connection to AU.

  • No problem - shoot me an email at caroline@theintrovertedmisfit.com and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

For questions and inquiries about this program, please contact Caroline at caroline@theintrovertedmisfit.com or use the form on my contact page using the button below:

Contact Caroline