One thing you should never do is make yourself feel bad about the number of friends you have. Do not let yourself get caught up in how many Snapchat streaks or how many followers you have on Instagram or Twitter. Social media is incredibly easy to get caught up in. You’re constantly comparing your life to others, and even though social media can inspire you, it also can be a source of major insecurity.
Growing up I always assumed that when I got to college I would want to have a big group of friends that I hung out with all the time, always had plans with, and was inseparable from.
Well, that’s not always the case. College can actually be some of the loneliest years of your life if you let them — and those the key words here: if you let them.
I was fortunate enough to meet two girls that have remained my backbone for the past year and a half. These past two years at Appalachian State have been some of the most fulfilling years of my life, and I can honestly say I’ve been the happiest I’ve ever been, and I can confidently say that when my friend group is just two people strong.
Don’t worry, I actually do have many friends in school, but I have only maybe five or less that I actually hang out with on the regular, and that’s okay!
My small friend group is incredibly special to me because they came into my life at a time when I wasn’t expecting it, but to this day I’m incredibly grateful. Even if we’re all just sitting in our room doing homework, those are still some of my favorite moments. From making cookies in the dorm kitchen before we watch “Dancing With the Stars” to spending every game day together in our marching uniforms, I truly will never get tired of these girls.
It takes a lot of effort to make time for your friends. Having too many friendships can leave you feeling as though you’re spread too thin, and you’ll end up just knowing a lot of people while being friends with a select few of them.
No matter your friend group size, I can confidently say that these are the friendships I’ve made that will last long after graduation. These are the two girls who I absolutely can not imagine my life without. We share important memories together, and they’ve been that backbone for me when I felt like everything in the world was crashing down.
So, if there’s only one thing you do in college, make it finding your friend group. Big or small, just find what works for you! And remember, having a large group of friends is fun, but if you can count all your friends on one hand, I believe you can count on them for life, and how wonderful is that?