The first few months of college, you are talking to your high school friends every couple days. You see them during Thanksgiving break, over winter break and maybe even visit them at their school… But once second semester hits, it can be hard to find the motivation to reach out.Â
I remember feeling this exact way, and with my sophomore year coming to an end, I have found many tricks and small ways to help keep your connections strong!Â
My first tip is to choose the friendships you want to focus on. There is no need to spread yourself too thin. If a friendship is worth it to you, it will feel worth putting energy in. However, I have found that if a friendship is stressing me out and doing more harm than good, my energy would be better focused elsewhere.Â
If possible to visit them, find a weekend before second semester starts to go see them. I have found it is difficult to find time to schedule a visit once schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and life starts to pile up. If the date is already set, I arrange my schoolwork and activities around the weekend.Â
Another thing I have found that helps is scheduling a time to call or FaceTime. My best friend and I call every Sunday night at 10 PM. That way, I know I will always have a chance to talk to her each week, even if we are not actively talking throughout the week.Â
Using social media is another great way to stay connected. If you see a TikTok or Instagram post that reminds you of a long-distance friend, or you think they would enjoy it, send it their way! It is an easy and thoughtful way to reach out!Â
Just remember to keep it fun and low pressure. Friendships are supposed to be two sided, so if your friend isn’t putting in effort, take a step back!Â