I actually raised my strength, by a lot, I made sure to take cryptozoology to make things easier to (ask about bugbears) , and raise charisma as well, the guide helps as well, but from personal experience, take all classes in the guide but remove one and replace with crypto, also make sure to go to the places where he is, and go to the library after extra-curricular, first meetings can happen in the garden, forest (exercise) etc..
thats all I can remember, good luck!!