The hardest part of making friends in college is making sure you keep a healthy relationship with them. For many, this isn't difficult, but sometimes it’s a hard task. Personally, without naming names, my friend group has seen a few shifts in people who remained and left the circle. It's important when you find a group of people you learn how to manage a social circle and academics. There are a few great ways to make sure your circle stays close throughout your 4 years at the Mount and years beyond!
Checking up on your friends is crucial. While we may be dealing with stress in the classroom, on the field/court, or back home, it's important to remember that you're not alone and you may not be the only one suffering. Sometimes a simple 'how are you doing?' can make someone’s day. The most meaningful friendships are the most where you can confide in one another when needed. Even if you're not in constant communication every day, the idea of having someone on your side is crucial.
Making plans on and off-campus as a group or with friends is also important. It's easy to get caught up with the hassle of classes, work, sports, and family that we can lose contact. Making sure in a group setting you all plan to hang out, have movie nights or PowerPoint nights, or go to parties together can help build a healthy foundation where it's easier to become close and maintain a long-term friendship.
Finally, the last major key in maintaining healthy friendships is communication when you don't see each other. Keeping in contact over text message, FaceTime/Zoom, social media, postcards can really help a friendship thrive. Keeping in contact with people when you can't see them face to face is crucial in making sure your friendship goes the distance.
Unfortunately, some people don't know how to make sure they build and maintain healthy relationships and it ends up hurting their long-term relationships. In college and life, we're going to make friends and lose friends...that's a part of life. But the friendships you want to maintain you have to make sure you treat them with the respect you expected in return and everything will be fine.
