I just hate my batchmates and don’t keep in touch with them. I was unlucky to be in a batch full of fake, toxic people. My college years weren’t memorable at all. I have managed to make some new friends (non-lawyers) after graduating. But it’s still very hard to make new friends, especially for introverted people. I’ve met people who wish to get married simply to cure boredom lol.

Hello. This feels like it was written by me. I'm still in law school and while I'm cordial with most people, I wouldn't want to do anything with them after law school. Many of them are toxic AF and have blocked opportunities that rightfully belonged to me, simply because they managed to take hold of placecomm. I'm learning how to cope being alone. Do you have any suggestions for how I can make friends beyond the toxic circles around me?

The premise of the question is partially false. It assumes that there is some logical, foolproof way - like exam technique in certain academic contexts - to make friends. It fails to account for the inherent (1) unpredictability of environments (when you start at university or at a workplace, are you lucky enough to land up among friendly coursemates/colleagues? is the environment you are at conducive to friendships, social and intellectual growth - for example, does your university have good mooting and competition participation culture, or are your workplace leadership people good? if the environment has a reputation for being friendly, why might or might it not change? even if the environment is largely friendly, what if you land up being taught or managed by somebody who is toxic or with toxic colleagues?); (2) the subjectivity and changing nature of the human condition and individual human beings; (3) limitations imposed by your own circumstances (for example, have you chosen to leave your home city when it comes time to start university); and (4) the possibilities of stuff that is beyond your control happening (think of the COVID pandemic). Sure, some techniques - putting yourself out there a bit more, using the techniques of a good conversationalist to draw people out (going from smalltalk about the weather to more intense topics), forming friendships based on hobbies (joining running groups, for example), deciding whether you are the type who would prefer to know ten friends well or 150 friends superficially - work better than others, but none are perfect, and none are likely to work in all circumstances. To add to the complexity, if you have a minority protected characteristic (particularly disability), some of the standard techniques may not apply to you, or you may need to either (i) work harder at some techniques than your nondisabled counterparts; and/or (ii) navigate some unique social challenges to even get onto the playing field (e.g., if you are starting university, getting your parents to take the foot off the accelerator when you move into university accommodation and doing things more independently). However, again, you might have this protected characteristic and get everything right, yet you don't end up making friends. So reflect on that assumption and rethink the wording, you might be able to come up with a better question.

I would say political volunteering. If you meet someone at a political internship or even a rally, you are already of the same ideology. This is a huge deal, because these days friendships break easily because of political differences. In fact, Swara Bhaskar met her husband at an anti-CAA rally.

So instead of ranting against the BJP on Insta, just show up at your local Congress office and offer to volunteer.

You could try:

1. Joining a gym, or Cult fit group classes

2. Trying a new sport like swimming, golf, pickleball etc.

3. Board games meetups which you will find via social media

4. Going to good bars during IPL, EPL games.

5. Hiking or trekking events

6. Group bike rides

Making friends requires you to put yourself in new surroundings, and once there, be outgoing and curious about people. Aim to meet 1 new person in a month. That's more than enough. Good luck.