Everyone has friends that don’t go to the same college that they do. Whether they are friends from high school, people you met from studying abroad, or friends from having done a year at another school (like me, who transferred). I have found that many times it’s hard to really stay in touch with these people and while some may just become more distant, others we lose contact with completely. There are definitely good and simple ways to keep in touch and they won’t take too much time away from your busy schedules.
Send a text: While this may seem really easy, most of us don’t text unless we have something important to say or want to make plans with someone. I find that if you send a message every once in awhile with a simple message such as, “Hey, how are you?”, you can strike up a quick and easy conversation just to let your friends know you’re thinking about them.
Actually utilize Facebook: While Facebook has become the epitome of procrastination, it also can be used towards keeping in touch. Writing “I miss you” on a friends wall, or commenting on a new picture, is a great way to let a friend know that you’re thinking about them. Simple messages like this allow your friends to know that even if you aren’t speaking for hours every day, they’re still on your mind. This is especially good for international friends who you maybe can’t call.
Be a social-networking butterfly: Following your friends on Twitter and Instagram can also be a great way to be a part of their lives. Getting glimpses of your friend’s lives in pictures can be a great way to feel like you’re a part of it. Want to know more? It’s not weird to call and ask your friend about the guy that was in that photo or how the dinner they had went. It’s a good way to know about events and things that otherwise might not get mentioned in a casual conversation.
Keep them updated: Whenever my best friend from home and I get together it’s like no time has passed. I think part of this is that I always let her know what’s going on, even if it’s just a quick call or a Facebook message. I’ll tell her the important events of my life so that when we finally do get to see each other in person we can bypass the actual retelling of events and move on to other things. I think this helps keep the friendship up-to-date and moving forward instead of being on pause while both of us are in school.
Skype: Set up a Skype date! The second best thing to seeing them in person is being able to see them on your computer. While this obviously takes a little bit more time out of your day, if you’re organized about it, it can work really well. Call your friend and ask them when they have a half hour, or even twenty minutes free. Then you can have a twenty-minute Skype-date, catch up, and feel like you guys just went out for coffee without being in the same state!
Remember, it’s the little things that count! Simple “hellos” and “how are yous” are the best way to keep a connection with your friends.