At college, especially at Howard, the initial relationships form mostly out of necessity. The first thing we do as freshmen is find near-strangers to split an Uber with for freshman parties. Depending on the depth of our relationships, these people may be only slightly relevant to you in broad daylight, or they may manage to filter into the long-term relationship category. After freshman week, we get tight with our hall mates. The lack of air condition, communal showers, and shared experiences make for a unique family dynamic. Sophomore year, we join organizations, leading to more situational friendships. However, convenience is not a trademark of relationships during upperclassman years. Our friends are all occupying off-campus roles and abandoning on-campus housing. Because we don’t just run into each other anymore, we see our relationships get more intentional. People begin to fulfill specific roles in our lives. I’m blessed to have a very eclectic array of friends, but I'd like to highlight some people that have proven to be essential to my development:
The Type A
Or the Type B, if you are a Type A, by-the-book type of person and in need of some unconventionality in your life. However, as a freer spirit, I need friends who love structure, organization, and timeliness. My friends who carry these complimentary qualities have helped to curb my lax personality before it became detrimental to the process of me working toward my goals.
The Health Freak
The mere presence of this person in your life makes you feel accountable for your health in regards to fitness and diet. Whatever combination of classes, internships, relationships, and organizational obligations the health freak has on their plate, they continually invest in their bodies, enabling them to meet day-to-day tasks with excess energy.
The Makeshift Mental Health Professional
As much as each of your friends loves you, not everyone has mastered that perfect balance of silence, input, and advice when you're pouring out your feelings. The Makeshift Mental Health Professional may not be a psychology major but reminds you that your mental health is of equal importance to your physical health, advising against engaging in behaviors that would lead you to emotional trauma.
The Political Correspondent
If you’re like me, you are overwhelmed by the influx of current events decorating the newspaper and television each day. The Political Correspondent is the perfect person to do coffee with. This news junkie and political savant already knows what’s new in the world and is ready to review every angle of the conversation with you, giving you facts to regurgitate in your daily conversations.
The Discoball
Something about this person turns any routine get-together into a party. I know exactly who this is in my life. She naturally gathers the most complimentary people, making for a stimulating, yet relaxing environment. Those qualities combined with her lively sense of humor and spontaneous spirit make boredom an impossibility for anyone within the vicinity.
The No-Filter... Person
This person always calls it exactly like they see it—not so much from an abundance of boldness, but from a lack of knowing how to be any other way. The charm of this person is that, even when they are calling you out on your mess or critiquing a situation you are sensitive about, you know their actions are rooted in love. This person issues out tough love like no other but will go to bat for you anytime you need support.
The Safe Haven/Mentor
The Safe Haven is almost always a bit older, lives off-campus, and seems to be above your undergraduate antics without being condescending. This person has been where you are, learned from it, and always has sagely advice on hand. Also, a place to stay for the weekend. Because of this Safe Haven, you have opportunities to sidestep calamities because they warn you ahead of time. When your peers aren’t able to offer you wisdom, this steady soul takes the baton and runs with it.
