Navigating college is a difficult feat. Assignments, lectures, jobs, and extracurriculars, as well as many other responsibilities, can make it feel like you’re being pulled in different directions. Oftentimes, leaving students feeling like ElastiGirl. Even though she is a superhero, she has her limits, and so do students. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to go through it alone. Friendship and community make navigating the turbulent experience of college bearable.
In a society that increasingly prioritizes individualism, many people shut themselves off and seclude themselves. The reasons for the isolation can be many. They vary from anxiety to simply not having enough time. It is important to remember to include friends. Friends can be the support that so many students search for in college.
Studying, being an open ear, and just trying new activities with a friend make a big college campus feel more welcoming and like a community. My friends have been a huge help in my experience. My friends invited me to a rodeo, which is something I don’t think I would’ve tried on my own. The rodeo was an amazing experience and allowed me to learn about rodeo circuits and farm care, not that I plan on pursuing those things, but fun for trivia!
Friendship is also beneficial for relieving stress. We can share a laugh, and for a moment, the stress of school and work freezes. My friends also share stories of their experiences, and I can do the same, which makes me and my friends feel less invisible. It is easy to feel lonely despite being around thousands of other students, but showing up for your friends changes that. When my friends need help on a project or just someone to keep them company, it relieves some of the anxiety. Another friend suggested we go on a hike together, and the experience was so fun. She got to share her knowledge of animals and plants, and I got to go outside and touch grass.
The fast-paced feeling of school can be daunting for some. Having friends in college to support you and remind you that you are on your journey is comforting. There is no need to dash through the years when many learn a lot about themselves. Students can feel burnt out, but having a community and someone you trust gives you the push to make it through.
I remember it being finals week two semesters ago, my friends and I met up in a coffee shop to catch up for a brief break, but it ended up being a three-hour conversation where we talked about almost anything. We may have discussed our opinion on the political and economic state of the world, in addition to talking about Pedro Pascal in Gladiator. I remember that feeling of having people who care and the love I have for them. It was as if time slowed down, and we caught a break from the stress of finals.
Friendships in college can be confusing. It can also add to the stress of college, but finding good friendships makes the confusing attempts worth it. Having friends allows you to tackle college and its syndrome of irritation. Friendships should be mutually beneficial. My friends have supported me and helped strengthen me, so I suppose in a way they are super incredible.