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.