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In this post, we're breaking down a list of icebreakers for students.

I've written countless lists to help people master the art of conversation, from random questions to funny pick-up lines. Trust me. This list of games and activities for students is guaranteed to give you an epic head start.

If you're looking for the best games for students, these awesome pastime activities for large groups and exercises for small groups will help you get the best out of your breakout rooms.

Contents

Printable List - #Printable-List

Ultimate

Printable List - #Printable-List

Downloadable

Tips - #Tips

Quick Breaks

Father - #Father

When

FAQs - #FAQs

FAQs

More - #More

Other Interesting Articles

Ultimate List Of Activities to Play With Your College Mates

Ah, college. Where everyone's thrilled to get a higher education but anxious to be the least favorite person in the room, and I get it. Unless you were born with unwavering charisma, making a great first impression can be a challenge.

Fortunately for you, I've been there, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve to share with you. This list of ultimate bonding exercises will give your peers a lot of convincing reasons to invite you to house parties.

Icebreaker Categories

Nice Things - #Nice-Things

Exciting

Tips - #Tips

Quick

Fun -

Funny

Virtual

5 Exciting Stress Busters Guaranteed to Make Learning Fun

An icebreaker game is always a fun way to encourage student engagement and help students connect with their peers. From online classes to breakout rooms, these fun icebreaker games will make any class activity exciting.

1. Comic Strip Chaos

Comic Strip Chaos is a fun icebreaker game to break a large group into smaller groups and a fun activity to help students practice their communication skills.

So how do you play this game? You'll need a large container and a few comic strips cut out into individual frames of the strip.

Each participant takes a turn picking a comic frame out of the large container. After the entire group has chosen one, each college student should begin searching for others with the same comic strip sequence. After finding everyone in their group, the students must arrange the frames chronologically to form the comic strip correctly. Upon completion, the newly formed group sits down together. The group that gets it right wins the game.

2. Chain Link

Making friends is always tough in a new environment, and what better way to make one than by finding common ground? The Chain Link game is an icebreaker activity that helps college students make friends and connect through common bonds.

To start the game, the first player in line makes a statement. Another player that relates to the statement becomes the next link in the chain. For example, if a student says, "I love The 1975," the next link in the chain must be another student who listens to the same band.

You can play the game during video calls using the hand raise feature if you are doing the activity in a virtual classroom. The first player to virtually raise their hand joins the chain. Make sure each student notes all the people already part of their chain.

3. Three of a Kind

Another great icebreaker activity that is perfect for a first-day orientation. Playing this game is a fun way to encourage students to spark conversations and explore their similarities.

Each college student must find three other students in the room that they share something in common with. The catch is that these similarities should not be visible things, so they should be something like having the same hobbies, name, or favorite food.

4. Make a movie boring challenge

The rule of this game is simple. All you need to do is think of a movie and change its title into something...well...boring. For example, "Legally Blonde" into "Legally Bland" or "Forrest Gump" into "Forrest Dump."

The possibilities are endless, and if you're looking for ways to cut the first-day tension in the classroom, this fun activity will always get you a laugh.

5. Classmate Bingo

This interactive BINGO game replaces the usual letter and numbers with 25 interesting traits like "plays the saxophone," "has a cat," "loves the color green," or "will try any food."

You can play this game with up to 30 people, but if your class is larger than that, you can divide students into smaller teams of equal size. The class will be given 30 minutes to mingle, introduce themselves, and find people who match the traits on the card. The first person to fill five boxes across or down yells, "Bingo!"

5 Quick Activities That Would Give Students a Short Break From their Lessons

Back in college, my mantra was always to work hard and play hard. As much as it's important to take your studies seriously, it's also vital that you rest and do something fun. Looking for good ideas to relieve stress? Feeling overwhelmed with calculus lessons? How about a round of "Would You Rather?" to pick you up?

6. Would You Rather?

Would you rather have the worst professor of all time once or have just okay professors forever?

Would you rather sweat maple syrup and always feel sticky but smell great or sweat normally but smell like rotten eggs?

"Would you rather questions" are either thought-provoking or funny but always interesting. Playing this great icebreaker game is a fun way to cool your head down with your peers.

7. Name Game

I love this game! It's fun, challenging, and trains your mind to be sharp. Typically, the name game involves the first player of the group announcing their full name. Then the second group member repeats the first person's name and adds their own, the third person says the names of the first and second person and adds their own, and so on around the group.

8. Longest line

Part of college is mastering the art of resourcefulness, and what better way to train students than with a game of Longest Line? The mechanics of the game is simple. The students have to create the longest line using their own bodies or anything they have on them.

9. Three Ps

Here's an 'Introduce Yourself' activity that's easy on introverts.

All you need to do is divide students into small groups and have them share three facts about themselves: something personal, something professional, and something peculiar.

10. Two Truths and a Lie

I'm sure you already know how to play this game. This fun team building activity encourages collaboration by teaching students how to brainstorm and deductive reasoning.

7 Funny Questions to Ask for Students to Get to Know Each Other Better

If you think high school is a whole other world, wait till you get to college. If you're looking for funny games you could use to make new friends, this list of entertaining questions will never disappoint.

11. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

They say that the things you enjoyed doing when you were a child will help you figure out your passions in life. So if you're seeking professional development, all you need to do is take a trip back memory lane.

12. If you could create a (silly) law, what would it be?

Wouldn't it be fun to get your way for once in your life? As long as it's not a purge, you're good to go.

13. If you could go back in time but couldn’t change anything, what time would you go to?

Another impossible dream every person in the world wishes for. The possibilities are endless (because it's impossible) so go big.

14. Which cartoon character would you like to be?

We all had a favorite cartoon character we grew up with. For me, it's Jerry from the show 'Tom and Jerry.' Just imagine being that lucky you didn't have to answer for all the troubles you make. That's going to be useful in college.

15. What is your most embarrassing moment?

My most embarrassing moment was when I liked my ex's new boyfriend's old social media post. It taught me never to stalk anyone, especially if you're brokenhearted.

16. If you were marooned on a deserted island, what five things would you want to bring with you?

Now here's a good question to test someone's critical thinking skills. I'd bring a knife, a box of matches, sunblock, a blanket, and a water bottle.

17. If you had no fears, what would you be doing right now?

Fear is one of the biggest things that hold us back from our dreams. I say feel the fear and do it anyway. This is also a good question if you're trying to do a self-intervention.

4 Virtual Activities That Would Keep Students Entertained and Engaged

Hosting a virtual classroom is more challenging than face-to-face classes, but these teaching resources will guarantee that your online classes are just as fun as being in a school. These fun ice breakers for college students are anything but boring.

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18. Guess Who?

Guess Who?' is a multiplayer game that involves players asking yes or no questions to guess a hidden character. Not only is it a great way to test their minds, but it's also a fun way to teach them teamwork and strategy.

19. Bring Me...

Do I really need to explain the mechanics of this game? No? I thought so too. You can make this game as long or short as you like by adjusting the number of rounds.

20. This or That?

Similar to 'Would You Rather,' this game involves asking 'either or' questions that are at least related to each other. The kind of questions you ask can be totally up to you, so make it as interesting as possible.

21. Online Scavenger Hunt

Another awesome team building activity teachers can use. Scavenger hunts are always exciting and I'm sure you're students will love playing this game.

Downloadable and Printable List of Entertaining Study Break Time Ideas

Here is a pdf/jpg list of social exercises for college students to make friends easily (right-click the image and select Save Image As...):

Do Quick Breaks From Studying Help Improve Learning and Productivity?

You might think that taking a break is counterproductive because it only allows you to accomplish fewer things but neigh. Contrary to popular belief resting is an important part of the creative process.

Studies have shown that taking purposeful breaks from studying to refresh your brain and body increases your energy, productivity, and ability to focus. Mindful breaks such as going for a ten-minute walk, meditating, listening to music, drawing, and even random dancing can significantly energize your mind and prepare it for another wave of school activities.

When is the Best Time to Take a Break From Studying

To help you maintain your productivity, motivation, and focus, you should take a break from studying every 50 to 90 minutes. I suggest writing down a study plan with regular break intervals. If you usually study for one hour straight, setting a 30-minute break to allow yourself to unplug is recommended.

On the other hand, if you study for 50 minutes straight, giving yourself a 10-minute break may be sufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easy to connect with college students?

Making connections with your peers is as easy as your willingness to step out of your way and put yourself out there. I recommend joining clubs and taking extra-curricular classes to give you a head start. Knowing a handful of talking points and making time to practice your networking skills also helps.

How can I help students build a sense of community?

College students are a different breed of learners, so for teachers, building a sense of community can be challenging. Defining shared goals, values, and agreements is important to help create a shared culture in your class. Encourage this by asking them questions such as, "What goals do you want to achieve at the end of the course?"

Doing so helps create an environment of accountability and discipline.

How can students improve their learning and attention span?

Engaging in physical activities, making time for purposeful breaks, removing visual distractions, playing memory games, and breaking down tasks into smaller ones are great ways to help students improve their focus and attention span.

Are group activities effective for students to get to know each other?

Definitely! Group activities are always useful for sparking conversations and easing the tension in the room.

More Fun Things To Do With Friends

Here are more articles that are worth exploring.

  1. These funny conversation starters will make you a favorite in any room.
  2. Catching up with your peers? This list of questions to ask friends will have you talking for hours.
  3. Met someone new? These get-to-know-you questions were made for establishing friendships.
  4. In the mood for a challenge? How about a game of truth or dare questions?

In Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this list of games for college students. These awesome activities for large groups and games for small groups are always perfect for easing first-day jitters and sparking connections.

Remember to share this list of icebreakers for college students with your pals!