I don't necessarily think providing us with these details was important to helping the OP with how to meet people.

If there was an incident on campus at your school, you can always try to meet others in a vicinity away from campus or the town your campus is in. Are you in a large city? A small one? Is it possible to drive to a nearby town and join a local group?

For example, meetup.com has a lot of groups and you can search by interest. A lot of people don't live in the vicinity of the group, but if members are willing they can meet at a different location and socialize. There are also community-center based groups or maybe through city hall that involve a wide diversity of people who join. Not just younger people or college students.

I do think having something in common, like an interest, is why people get together. Another thing to consider is brushing up on social skills by being observant during a conversation, paying attention to the flow of a conversation, and speaking appropriately. Even if you don't know the people you're talking to at a social group, gently easing yourself into a conversation increases the likelihood someone will want to socialize with you further.