A New Year, a new semester, and an entirely new experience: your excitement is at an all time high…until you realize all your friends are going abroad! Wait? What! This was me last semester as 6 of my 8 core group of friends were dispersed across the globe, from Punej, India to Paris. Your first thought is immediately “what am I going to do?” You can’t imagine your life at BC without them. Though you will soon come to realize, as I did, that this is an incredible opportunity to broaden your horizons here on campus, as your friends broaden theirs elsewhere!
Meet new people!
So often we get stuck in a rut. We say hi to the same people, discuss the same things, and even make the same weekend plans. Without realizing it, we are living life on repeat. Now that your friends have left the U.S. in search of adventure, it’s time for you to find adventure here and now. Strike up conversations with your new hallmates, invite that acquaintance to meet you for lunch, make a night out on the town with your new friend from class! The possibilities are endless, as long as you are willing to make the effort. You may feel guilty for so quickly moving on in the absence of your friends, but what better way to welcome them back than with an entirely new group of friends who can’t wait to meet them?
Get closer with the people you’ve always meant to!
Has there always been that friend who you see in passing and keep meaning to hangout with, or that guy who you’ve had your eye on, but just don’t seem to cross paths with? Use your suddenly free social calendar to make plans that always seemed to elude you. Next thing you know, Kashi will be calling to book you two for the next box of Good Friends Cereal.
Change it up!
Breakfast at lower at 8, lunch at Hillside at 12, dinner in your room. Same schedule, same slew of faces, same,
same, same! Your friends’ sudden absence gives you the freedom to change other aspects of your life, like your schedule. Embrace your freedom. Change up your schedule! Go to the Plex in the morning, if you are usually a nighttime regular. Get coffee at Hillside instead of the Chocolate Bar. Research has proven that novelty is a strong determinant of happiness, and from my experience this semester, I can certainly concur. I was proud of myself for doing things out of the ordinary, for pushing my boundaries, and for my commitment to keep things interesting. Embrace change in all aspects of your life!
Find a new hobby or interest!
Use this time to focus on you and your interests. I applied for a job at Rugby Ralph Lauren, something I had been meaning to do for years, but had just never gotten around to. The experience has proven to be so liberating. The independence and commitment to something outside Boston College has strengthened my sense of self, and taught me valuable skills in dealing with people and money management. You can join a club that interests you, giving you a new activity, and bringing you in contact with more and more people. Take a ballet class like those at Brookline Ballet or take a voice lesson. Change it up! Just because you aren’t going abroad doesn’t mean you can’t try new things, too!
Use this time to realize how much your friends mean to you!
Just because your friends are abroad doesn’t mean you should forget about them; use this time and distance to
realize how much you really appreciate them. Send them thoughtful messages over facebook or email, mentioning something that reminds you of them or things you wish they had been there for. This small token of your time will mean a lot to your friend, and also serve to keep them feeling more closely connected to the goings on in your life. Send a package filled with all of their favorite American candies, the latest copy of American Cosmo, and a copy of The Heights. This thoughtful touch puts the “care” in care package!
Photo Sources:
http://collegecandy.com/
http://www.kashi.com/
http://somethingspecialgiftbaskets.com/
http://exercisetoloseweightquick.com/
http://www.brooklineballet.com/