Keeping Friends From Home & Making New Ones: Tips to Keep Up Connections
by Kayla Bowens ‘25
Making friends in college can be a difficult task, and it can also be tricky to maintain older friendships from home. I’ve picked up a few habits in my time at college to keep my long time friends close while forming new bonds as well. Here are a few tips that might help you too!
Making Friends in College
Join Clubs and go to On-Campus Events
Many people are probably feeling the same fear and loneliness you are. Going to events you’re interested in can be a good place to find people who share similar interests and are looking for friends too. It’s also an effective way to get more connected to your community, improving the chance of meeting people organically.
Connect Outside of Class
If you have friendly people in your class, try to maintain contact outside of the lecture hall. Similarly, if you frequently see someone at events, exchange contact information. Studying together or going out to lunch can allow you to get to know each other and put you on the path towards forming a real friendship.
Don't Take It Personally
Some friendships come and go, so don’t force it, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t actually stay in contact with someone you recently met. Friendship requires effort from both parties, so if they’re not holding up their end of the bargain, it’s okay to let the relationship fade.
These steps might be uncomfortable, but slowly expanding your comfort zone can be fulfilling, as well as an opportunity for personal growth. Friendships often develop as a result of shared experiences, so don’t let these potential friendships pass you by. Let your connections form naturally and spontaneously, and eventually, your true friends will find you.
Keeping Friends From Home
Don’t hesitate to reach out
College can be quite stressful and hectic. Conflicting schedules or different time zones can pose challenges in a long distance friendship. However, a little effort goes a long way. Sending a quick text whenever you think about it shows your friend that you truly care.
Stay honest and intentional with communication
If you have a friendship that you believe is worth preserving even long-distance, be honest about your needs. For example, tell your friend, “It would help if you reached out more often,” or “Let’s exchange schedules so we can plan the best time to talk”. These tasks can be tedious or anxiety inducing, but in the long run, keeping open communication is worth it.
Send Funny Videos or Memes
Oftentimes, when scrolling on Instagram or TikTok, you might come across a funny video or comment that reminds you of a friend. Send it to them! This can be a good reminder that you are thinking about them and can be a potential conversation starter.
My childhood friends and I were inseparable for many years, so when we went to different colleges, it was a weird transition. Thankfully, I don’t have to talk to my close friends from home everyday to keep a strong bond. However, these tips helped evolve my friendships to the stable place they’re in now.
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