With the semester kicking into high gear, it’s becoming pretty clear that the return to school hasn’t been kind to anyone. Everyone I’ve encountered has made the comment that it’s been a rough couple of weeks, and it’s only just begun. Amidst this chaos, I’ve found it important to not only take care of myself, but also the people around me.
The stress of classes has been ramping up and professors have wasted no time getting into the swing of deadlines and assignments. Because of this, it’s been important for me to pause and take stock of everything that has been going on in the world. I’ve found myself leaning a lot upon my friends and loved ones as a support system as I get back into the rhythm of school and new personal endeavors.
Despite being no stranger to the hectic nature of it all, it has not been an easy transition in the slightest. I’ve needed a lot of help from my friends. These last couple of weeks have quickly shown me how much and by whom I am loved. Taking this into account, I’ve also made a point to reflect on how I can be a good friend in return.
A lesson I’ve learned and carried with me is that you might not know the good your actions might cause. Even the seemingly insignificant will do when you’re doing them. And you often never will know, but that’s okay. Some of the most impactful gestures that my friends and loved ones have made towards me have been as small as sitting with me while I work or just calling to tell that they are thinking about me. It’s not hard to show the people you love that you care about them, no matter how grand or minute the gesture may be.
College is a whirlwind of people and faces all swirling around you at every given moment, but I’ve found it can also be the loneliest place. It’s very easy to feel, in a sea of thousands of busy students, like there isn’t anyone thinking about you or you could be the one that actually means a lot to someone. It’s the friendships we have that work to chase these feelings away. Sometimes I get emotional when thinking of all the special people in my life, near and far, who are there for me and make me feel like less of a little fish in this big pond.
Showing your friends and loved ones that you care about them doesn’t take a whole lot and could make a world of a difference. My favorite ways to let a friend know how much they mean to me are to:
- Ask about their day
- Share a meal together
- Send them a funny post
- Watch their favorite show
- Listen to music they enjoy
- Go to the movies
- Tell them how beautiful they are
- Support their hobbies
- Take their picture when you think they look especially nice.
- Offer to be there while they work/study
- Call them just to say hi
- Sit together and enjoy each other’s company
- Make them a playlist
- Run errands together just to make a trip of it
- Act as a listening ear when they need to vent
- Remind them that you love them
- Buy them something small that makes you think of them
- Be there
Don’t take the special people in your lives for granted. Make time for them because they are the ones who are going to make time for you when you need it most. Check up on your friends when something is wrong and check up on them when everything is right. The biggest thing to take away from this is that there’s no time like the present to show someone how much they mean to you.
My friends have always been there for me and this essay was to say thank you. I appreciate you immensely.