This past year has been filled with a lot of life-changing events, for not just me but for everyone. Obviously, a world-wide pandemic has affected everyone’s everyday life, yet we still had to find a way to try and make things normal again. This past year, I managed to graduate high school, begin college online, and eventually move two and a half hours away from home to be able to live the college life as if everything was normal and how it was supposed to go. I have lost friends, had fights, cried over hours of homework and stared at computer screens all day. So when I moved to college in January, away from my friends and family, I figured I would be ready for anything. But then, the issue of making friends here emerged and I felt lost.
Making friends in general can be rough, especially if you aren’t a normally outgoing person. Moving into a dorm halfway through a school year showed me that; every other freshman who was here in the fall already had an established friend group, bonded with neighbors or their RA’s, and already had a lifeline in case they needed something. It felt impossible to be able to make connections with people that already were connected with others, and I felt trapped in my dorm room for at least two months. I was lonely. It’s really sad to admit it but all I wanted to do was go home and never look back. I was not happy, nor did I feel like I belonged. But now, with one month left of my freshman year, I have found a few people I can happily call good friends.
So, you may be wondering what the whole point of this story was. I just want to let people know, especially incoming freshmen for the fall, that it does get better. Although you may be feeling lonely at first, and the urge to go back home to the comfort of your old friends may be strong, you WILL find someone to go on coffee dates or spend hours studying in the quad with. Chances are, someone feels the exact same way as you do. And if you need some ideas on how to reach out to people, I have a few things I did that may just help you. Don’t be scared to knock on your neighbors doors and introduce yourself. Exchange Snapchats with everyone and anyone. Get involved! I have made so many connections with HerCampus ladies and have had so much fun being able to write freely about anything. I also joined a sorority and I have met so many amazing girls that have my back ‘till the end. The point is, you will make connections; it may just take some time!
This pandemic has hurt so many, in so many different ways. Socially, it’s been hard to make friends no matter who you are. And even though we don’t know how much longer this pandemic may last, we have to make the most out of every new experience we may have, no matter how limited things may be right now. So, keep your head up ladies! Making connections can be scary, but once you do, college life will be an absolute blast! I don’t miss home as much anymore with all of these friends by my side.
HCXO,
Bri