{"id":12662,"date":"2025-05-27T08:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T13:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/?p=12662"},"modified":"2025-05-22T14:06:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T19:06:21","slug":"finding-friends-nearpeer-far","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/finding-friends-nearpeer-far\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding friends Near(peer) &amp; far"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"12683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182057-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Students gathered around a coffee table playing Monopoly.\" class=\"wp-image-12683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182057-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182057-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182057-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182057-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182057-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182057-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182057-1-1568x1045.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"12682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182078-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Female students playing a game of Monopoly.\" class=\"wp-image-12682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182078-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182078-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182078-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182078-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182078-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182078-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1182078-1568x1045.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Finding friends in college can be the difference between surviving or thriving. While Tarleton State University provides in-person opportunities like Duck Camp and Transition Week to help new students connect, apps like Nearpeer can be especially helpful for students who are excited to jumpstart their college journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-texan-white-color has-tarleton-light-purple-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-3a0722ff085e6abb321b52fd962d7da3\">What is Nearpeer? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Nearpeer is a student-centered platform designed to help incoming college students connect with their peers. The app utilizes a multi-dimensional matching algorithm that can help students find likeminded individuals to connect with on and off campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, Nearpeer gives students the confidence to connect while they build their community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students can create a profile, engage in private chats and find fellow students, staff and alumni to connect with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Essentially, Nearpeer offers students a way to make friends before they ever step foot on campus. (Perfect for our introverted Texans&#8230;and those extroverts that simply cannot wait to start college!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Nearpeer Intro 2025\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dl_1iUj-elw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-texan-white-color has-tarleton-light-purple-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-72661a6fb1aa3faabc18e6279b7e16c4\">How Do I Sign Up?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Joining the Nearpeer community is as simple as download, verify and connect! It&#8217;s important to note that students MUST sign up using either their Tarleton State student email address or the email address they used during the enrollment process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/B.Smith-Posts-OLD-1-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"Step-by-step guide for students interested in joining the Nearpeer community.\" class=\"wp-image-12670\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/B.Smith-Posts-OLD-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/B.Smith-Posts-OLD-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/B.Smith-Posts-OLD-1-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/B.Smith-Posts-OLD-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/B.Smith-Posts-OLD-1.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-texan-white-color has-tarleton-light-purple-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-d37e74e9699694009710acb161cb084e\">FAQ<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-584e2fcfd3f95497778d2cfa7b25e066\"><em><strong>Q: &nbsp;Is Nearpeer the same as other social media platforms?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: No, Nearpeer is different. Other social media platforms are great for connecting with people you <em>already know<\/em>, Nearpeer introduces you to people you want to get to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-01dbb3a1eda4493b2085d2a0001b103b\"><em><strong>Q: &nbsp;Is Nearpeer safe?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Nearpeer\u2019s approach is designed to create a voluntary, safe space for college students to find, meet, and build community among their peers. There is no anonymity in the Nearpeer platform, which ensures that users are accountable for their behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More safety measures in place: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Automated moderation for appropriateness of language.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Community moderation for each user to have the ability to flag content. Pictures and videos are not allowed to be sent or received in one-to-one or group chats.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ee64286a88979da1e44ab8db706a535a\"><em><strong>Q: How much does Nearpeer cost?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: For users, it is free! (Yes, 100% free.) You will never be asked to purchase any add-ons, and there are no ads!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1181860-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Students snapping a selfie in front of the Lamar Johanson science building.\" class=\"wp-image-12679 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1181860-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1181860-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1181860-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1181860-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1181860-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1181860-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/P1181860-1568x1045.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Download the Nearpeer app to find your people. Questions? Reach out to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:tarleton@nearpeer.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tarleton@nearpeer.net<\/a>&nbsp;for assistance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Finding friends in college can be the difference between surviving or thriving. While Tarleton State University provides in-person opportunities like Duck Camp and Transition Week to help new students connect, &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":687,"featured_media":12663,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","wds_primary_category":49,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12662","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-life"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/B.Smith-Blog-Feature-Photos.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Blake Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/author\/bsmith1\/"},"author_meta":{"display_name":"Blake Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/author\/bsmith1\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/05\/B.Smith-Blog-Feature-Photos.png","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/category\/student-life\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Student Life<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Student Life<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":0,"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 11 months ago","modified":"Updated 11 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on May 27, 2025","modified":"Updated on May 22, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on May 27, 2025 8:15 am","modified":"Updated on May 22, 2025 2:06 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12662","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/687"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12662"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12662\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12695,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12662\/revisions\/12695"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12663"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12662"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12662"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12662"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}