As college students, we are constantly dealing with people – from classmates and professors, to coworkers and bosses, to family and friends, and even to the random people we bump into each and everyday. It’s hard to notice how many people we interact with every day. We may not notice, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t notice us. Did you know it only takes a few moments to make an impression on someone? Those few moments can leave a lasting impression that can be very difficult to change. So why not just make a good impression from the beginning?

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1. Smile.

Smiling is the easiest thing someone can do to make a good impression. I do not mean forcing a cheek to cheek smile and skipping everywhere you go. A subtle smile when making eye contact with someone, smiling when greeting someone, and even smiling on the phone can make a big difference. We are all attracted to smiles. A smile can brighten up anyone’s day. Try it!

2. Remember names.

We have all been taking this one for granted. The United States is a melting pot. Americans can come from a variety of different cultures and backgrounds, so it’s no surprise that we see so many different names. Some are easy, some aren’t. We must remember that just because a name is hard to pronounce, it does not mean we should forget it. Everyone’s name is important to them, and remembering someone’s name can really help you stand out. This goes for classmates, recruiters, and even the waiters who take your order. So practice! When meeting someone new, repeat their name, write it out, and if you can come up with another way to remember, do it! Many people are used to their name being mispronounced or forgotten completely. Be the one to get it right!

3. Show an interest in people and listen.

We can all admit that sometimes we talk too much. That’s because talking about ourselves is easy. Why not talk about what we know most? The problem here is that everyone enjoys the same pleasure of talking about themselves. Why not give listening a try? Ask your professors about their careers, ask your mom about her job, ask your sister or brother about school. Ask your classmates about their other classes. Ask your boss about his kids. Even ask the person sitting next to you on the train about their hat. Show an interest in other people and listen to what they have to say. Ask a question, then listen, then ask a follow up question. This will show that you’re interested and consequently, they’ll enjoy talking to you. You’ll learn a lot and have some great conversations in the process. What is there to lose?

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We can all benefit from having better relations with people. It’s important to keep in mind that you have to be genuine when using these tips. No fake smiles! Be sincere in everything you do and say. Authenticity is very important in networking. This means you’ll have to actually start liking people. We all have our own things going on so this may seem hard at first, but it really doesn’t take much effort at all. And remember, people are great! A lot of them are super friendly and have the same interests as you. Simply by following these tips, two great things can happen. First, you will make other people feel good, which is good. Second, you will open doors to countless opportunities with the relationships you’re forming, opportunities that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.