Junior year of college comes with so many new and exciting aspects: upperclassmen life, more responsibilities, more major related courses, and perhaps even more exciting, new housing. While most juniors prepped this summer for their big move off-campus, my roommates and I anticipated our move back on campus to Vanderslice Hall. But during the first few weeks, we realized just how many of our friends do live off-campus, which prompted us to get creative of how we could “make it work”. Don’t get me wrong, the walk off-campus is nothing terrible but the physical separation between off-campus friends and myself felt much bigger than ever before. So here are some suggestions on how to balance those friendships that are separated by the Comm Ave bus:
1. Make meals your time to meet up!
Your off-campus friends will definitely be on campus during the day for classes and chances are, will be eating lunch on-campus. What better time to meet up with them and catch up? You can even treat them with your meal plan (even if you have Flex!) and swap stories of your week over a Hillside sandwich.
2. Have a “family dinner” off-campus!
Few things will make you feel older than cooking a meal in your friends’ house and sitting at their dining room table together to eat together. Not only is this a really fun way to hang out together and cook, but also you will also get delicious meal out of it while socializing. Ultimate multitasking.
3. Study dates in O’Neill!
Okay, I admit it, this is probably a lot less exciting than most activities you can do with your friends, but reserving a study room with your friends that you don’t get to see as often is a great way to not only get some work done but also socialize. You can bring some snacks for some great study breaks and having a friend there definitely makes the time pass by a lot more quickly, especially during the crunch of midterms.
4. Attend a fitness class together!
Have your friend attend with you one of the many fitness classes offered at the Plex daily as a way to hang out but also sweat a little too. Nothing is better than laughing at your friends’ attempt of doing Zumba while also burning some calories along the way too. Plus most classes are late afternoon, so your off-campus friend can go right after class and have dinner with you after (your treat!)
Though I admit, from firsthand experience, that it is a whole new world trying to balance living on-campus and having some of my friends live off-campus, you can use daily events such as eating lunch, studying in the library, and working out as a way to connect with your friends. The best way to balance these relationships is by inviting your friend over your dorm room, but also going and visiting them every once in a while! Like everything in life, it’s all about the balance.
Photo Sources:
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