Your room is half empty, your bags are somehow shoved into the trunk of your car, and the day of saying goodbye to all of your friends is looming over your head. Going to college is a wonderful opportunity and something to be excited about, but that doesn’t mean we need to diminish how hard it can be to leave home and say goodbye to all our friends. That’s why going on a friendship date with your hometown friends before leaving for college is an absolute must.
The good news is your memories of racing to the park on your bike, trying to decide which ice cream to get at the ice cream truck, and staying up all night at sleepovers talking about crushes and taking completely pointless internet quizzes will never go away. The bad news is it may be months until you have the whole gang together, so it only seems right to take the last couple weeks of summer and go out with a bang.
While in the age of technology, we are very lucky that goodbyes really translate to a FaceTime call an hour later. Memories you hold close, and tell your kids about, will be few and far between now. So, no matter if your group is adventurous, crafty, sporty, or foodies there is something for everyone to create one last memory before you go your separate ways and start your new lives.
- Go on a road trip.
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A classic but for a good reason. Pick up your favorite snacks and take a trip to the beach, or the mountains, or a city nearby — it doesn’t matter as long as you got some good tunes and your besties.
Tessa Pesicka / Her Campus - Get fancy.
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Now this may seem #basic but this could be a great time to plan your spring break reunion trip and talk about your goals for the upcoming semester. Plus who doesn’t love a nice dinner, high tea, or an elaborate picnic where you have an excuse to get dressed up?!
- Have a themed mocktail night.
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IDK about you, but when this trend blew up on TikTok I was obsessed. So, to stay in the spirit of the back-to-school season, perhaps you make drinks based on your new school or major!
- Take a high school hometown tour.
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I always find that saying goodbye is easier while doing the thing you’re saying goodbye to. Take the day with your friends to walk your high school campus, pick up coffee at your favorite spot you would go to during your free period, and check out your group’s hangout spot one last time before parting ways.
- Throw a potluck for your high school group of friendship.
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Now, if you were Little Miss Popular or ran in multiple groups, throw a big joint going away party and make it a potluck. You could get creative and suggest everyone bring a food that is a delicacy from where they are going to school to get into the spirit of the first day.
- Try puppy or goat yoga.
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Now who can be sad when puppies and baby goats are crawling all over you…you know I’m right. Get some TLC from these furry friends and release any stress you have about moving to college with some yoga.
- Go to a concert or give your own at karaoke.
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So if you can’t get tickets to the Eras Tour, or the Jonas Brothers, no one is stopping you from belting out all your favorite songs out at the karaoke bar. Sure it may be embarrassing but I promise you it might turn out to be a top memory for you and your group.
- Make a joint playlist.
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Now, this is great to pair with a road trip, but also when you’re at school and missing the other you’ll be able to listen to all the must-play songs of your group as if they were right there with you.
- Create vision boards.
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Call me a hippie, but I fully believe writing your goals and dreams out will make them come true and I’m all here for making it aesthetic. Bonus…you just made some awesome personalized room decor.
- Get permanent bracelets.
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If you truly are BFFs, get a matching bracelet you cannot take off so you always have a little piece of them with you while you’re away at school.
All good things must come to an end, and you should celebrate– graduating high school and going to college is a huge achievement! But speaking from experience, as a college senior, I know that even with your future at your fingertips, saying goodbye to your besties isn’t easy. So, focus on the present and make this a summer to remember before you trade in 2 a.m. McDonald’s runs for 2 a.m study sessions — I’m proud of you.