It’s a new semester, folks! So, what does that mean? NEW PEOPLE! If you’re a freshman, you’re probably overwhelmed with the amount of potential BFFs that can come your way. If you’re an upperclassman, I know you’ve probably lost some friends that have transferred, or maybe you and a friend fell out. You and a friend could have even just grew apart over the summer. Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s no big deal.
People come and people go, but the best way to figure out who’s here to stay and who isn’t is to learn how to distinguish. We all have that best friend with whom we can do everything with. If there’s something you want to do, they’re the first person you text. However, being new in an unfamiliar place, you may not have that right away. So I’m here to help you find her!
The first thing you should know: IT’S NOT ALWAYS YOUR ROOMMATE! When you move in with someone you don’t know, it’s easy to try to make that person be your right-hand girl. However, it doesn’t always work out that way. Don’t confine your friend options to your roommate and who your roommate knows; you’ve got to get yourself out there! Go to campus events, or take a walk to the library, the Student Union, or an event on the front lawn. You can also talk to people in your classes. Learn how to break out of that shell!
Secondly: Not every person is for everything. Say you meet someone and they tell you about a party. Okay cool, let’s go out! Party, party, party! You have a great time and BOOM! You’re friends. Be careful here. This is NOT your new best friend; you don’t know who they know. This is what you call a party friend. You can’t tell a person that you went to one party with all of your gossip. Remember that!
Thirdly: One good friend to always have is a smart friend. Yes, it’s always fun to put down the books for a night and go out to have a good time. It’s hard to balance party time and school time if you don’t have the right people surrounding you. I get it, sometimes you don’t want to go to the library and study alone; that’s when the smart friend comes in. Someone who motivates you in school is definitely someone you need on your team! Keep that in mind.Lastly: Trust me, you’re going to meet someone you instantly click with and want to be with most of the time. This is the person you feel like you can really trust. When you don’t have obligations you can call them up and say, “Hey, let’s go swimming,” or “Hey, want to go to the game?” Those are the friends you cherish. Those are the friends you create bonds with. Find someone you can cry to in your time of need, who listens to you and who opens up to you as well.Remember, in order to have a friend, you’ve got to be a friend. Broaden your horizons and explore the opportunities before you. Meet new people and try new things. Make the best out of your college experience and most importantly, share it with the people you love. These are the best years of your life! Don’t experience them alone.