College is a brand new chapter after graduating from high school. Some decided to go to colleges that are far from home to have that full college experience and others chose to commute from a college nearby. Regardless, there are certain people you encountered in college who helped you find your own place in this new environment. From strangers I met at orientations when I was a freshman to people I like be surrounded with to go to classes and grab food and roommates who can tolerate my messiness. I think they certainly made my college life at a "commuter school" less depressing.
1. Breaks aren't complete without them.
Since not all of us are from the city, it is a hassle for my friends to come all the way from either upstate or Long Island just to hang out in the city. One of the things on my Christmas wish-list was to spend Christmas and New Year's Eve with the people who went through ups and downs with me at school. Christmas shopping and food adventures weren't perfect without them. It was a season to be grateful for and I wish I could have told them in person instead of texting.
2. Random chit-chats in dorms are the best.
Sometimes, we all are stressed out by school work and these light hearted talks may have just brightened up my day. We literally can talk about everything, from school work to decorating our dorm/suite, we talk like a family and it just feels exactly like home.
3. Those late night food runs can never be better.
No one understands the struggle of food cravings better than my college friends and roommates. Driving off-campus to the diner, Cabo Fresh, Buffalo Wild Wings etc. , ordering pizza from Dominos or even walking to Dunkin Donuts past midnight has gradually became our daily routines.
4. "Food, anyone?"
Eating alone in different campus dining halls can be boring and certainly not the best idea. Hitting each other up to grab food any time has also become a habit. Good company will just make a boring and regular meal interesting.
5. Things that only my Stony friends will understand and do for you.
It is a pain to walk back to dorms alone at late night. The walk from H Quad or West Apartments to Tabler Quad isn't a joke. There is always that one friend who volunteers to walk back with you. When it comes towards the end of semester and low at meal points, that one friend with the highest meal points becomes the caretaker of the group.
6. When we grow too comfortable with each other.
Sharing a room with another person isn't easy. It is all about adjusting your own living habit but the longer we live together, the less we are concerned about our own messiness. We gradually get used to each other's sleeping schedule and living habits, especially when we have seen each other at our worst and still manage to stick with each other.
