University can be a time of such a big change, especially if we are leaving our hometown for it. So much happens in the area of friendships but it’s not often realized at the time, it just sort of happens. It’s such an important time for friendships though that I thought it worthy of an article as we all go through this at some point in our lives, most often first when we attend University.
The First Friends
So lets start here, with our first friends. These are the friends that we grew up with. The friends that we experienced so many firsts with – first scrapes on the knees with, first formal dances with, first car…. So many firsts. As we transition to University, even if we stay in town, often these great bonds are weakened, especially if these friends are not attending University with us.
While it a be a time of growth and transition for us, sometimes these friendships go by the wayside. Perhaps we’ve outgrown them, but perhaps they are just ones that need some extra attention at this crucial time. Life-long friends are something that we will never find again later in life. Let’s not hesitate to look back to our first friendships and make sure we aren’t leaving behind any friendships that we haven’t outgrown. These friendships are too just priceless to lose inadvertently.
The New Friends
University is a great time to make new friends! Often you find yourself bonding over common interests in classes, forming friendships from dormitory life, or simply meeting new people on campus.
First, let’s face it, pre-University life isn’t always a fun time for everyone. University is a chance to start fresh, put a new foot forward, and make new friends. This could be the opportunity that changes the landscape of the life of many. It’s a time to make the most out of the best of University. And there’s so much there to take advantage of – social clubs, common interest clubs, fraternities and sororities, and study buddies!
These friendships too come at a crucial point in our life. University is one of life’s critical stages of our life; who we meet during it can mean everything to us. They are they for the initial challenges and fears, they support us during the hard classes, and they are there for the fun new University events! These new friends can be friendships we hang onto throughout our careers, career changes, and major life events.
Friendships
Whether they are old friends or new friends, I think that the key is that they are friends. While unfortunately we tend to outgrow some of our great initial friendships, let’s not forget that there may be many that you can carry through your whole life. Those are such precious friendships and lucky are those that have them! Let’s make sure not to lose track of them in the course of all the transitions that come with University. And for the new friends, these too can become life-long friends.
I would be remiss if I didn’t note too that while friendships are priceless, friends can also be part of your network as you close in on your career during and after University. Keeping close these relationships tight may just help you land your next job. Or, perhaps, you can leverage your connections to help someone else network into a new position! A strong network is key and friendships are included in that network!
Share With Us Your Friendship Stories
Do you have friends that you’ve known your whole life? Some friendships that you’ve outgrown? Have you developed new friendships at University?
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I’ve got a couple of close friends I’ve known for many years and even when we don’t see each other often, it’s like no time has passed when we do catch up 🙂
That is sign of a great, timeless friendship Lisa!!! Isn’t it lovely to have friends like that!
I wouldn’t be without my friends! I have some really close ones that I’ve known for a long time but also some that I’ve now outgrown but will cherish forever 🙂
Ashleigh x
https://www.ashleighsmoments.com
Same here Ashleigh! Friends are so priceless at every point in our lives! When I think of friends I think of support, advice and all kinds of fun!
I met my best friend at uni, it can be such a great way to make friends for life!
Yes, I agree Maddie! I met one of my best friends at Uni. She’s a friend for life now.
I have a couple of old school friends that I’ve known since I was 11 that I’m still close with and it’s like no time has passed since I last saw them whenever we see each other but I totally agree that uni is a great time for making friends x
Sophie
Some friendships are simply timeless, aren’t they! Thanks for sharing Sophie!
I loved this post! I didn’t really have best friends as such when I went to uni, as I was ill most of my school life, but the girls I’ve made friends with at uni will definitely be my friends for life! University is such a great experience, and it’s such a lovely opportunity to make friends with whoever you like, rather than being stuck with classmates!
Emily x | http://www.emilyjanebirks.co.uk
So glad that your Uni experience was filled with friendships Emily!
I have been blessed in that I have maintained friendships with some of the incredible people that I met throughout elementary and high school. However, I will say, some of the friends that I made during University quickly became the closest knit friends that I’ve ever had in my life… They are more like family than friends and I can’t imagine navigating this wild ride of adulthood without them.
That is fabulous Britt! I love how you put it “this wild ride of adulthood!” So true! 🙂
I haven’t really stayed in contact with anyone from school, other than having them on Facebook. Made my real friends around uni time I think. Still have some people from uni that I don’t see often, but when we meet up, it’s like we have never been apart.
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
Friendships like that are priceless, aren’t they Aimsy? 🙂 Lucky are we that have them!
I cut some of my oldest and closest friends out of my life after I contacted them to see if they wanted to meet for a drink, as I was in their area after seeing my mum in the hospital after she just got diagnosed with cancer, and they never once asked how she was. Not calls, no text, no message, no nothing. How hard is it to ask a simple question like, is your mum alright or are you alright?
That is rough Unwanted Life…. I’m so sorry that happened to you. You deserve much more from your friends!
I have a couple of close friends that I’ve only known a few years.
And then I have friends which I only see once or twice a year. Despite living hours away we can still just continue as normal. I love everyone in my life and even if I don’t see them for years. I’m grateful that I got to know them and experience so many things with them ☺️
That’s the amazing things about friends – they happen at all different parts of our life and we happily have room for all of them! 🙂
I have a WhatsApp group of 7 friends I chat to nearly everyday. 5 of us grew up on the same street, the other 2 got added in. We are varying ages, 6/7 years between the youngest and oldest, but we’ve always remained friends. Meeting up has become less frequent as we all moved to different places, but like I say we all message almost daily.
I had a complete different set of friends at school and college, who all came and went but this little group has always stuck together, we are all now in our mid 30s.
That is fabulous Adam – how wonderful that you’ve been able to keep up those lifelong friendships!
I have bachelor and master degree. I must confess that in both opportunities I did not have made and significant friendship. I thought was too hard to connect with people. Very different from my school time… Thanks for sharing your post! 😀
You’re very welcome Patricia – thank you for stopping by and sharing your comments!
I was so focused on trying to pass my classes that I forgot to make a ton of friendships. Welp.. There are some people I still talk to but we mostly outgrown each other @__@ .
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
It sounds like you made the most of your educational experience Nancy!