Imagine the first high school scene in the movie, “Mean Girls." You witness the clicks, the gross food, and the crazy amount of friend groups. In college, it is slightly similar, but not in the ways you’d think.
It's one of those things that you simply don’t realize until you’re there to witness it or it happens to you. Here’s the breakdown of the difference between high school friend groups and college friend groups.
1. There is no "you can't sit with us."
It’s actually the opposite. We squish every possible person into one table by stealing chairs from nearby tables. Our high score is 12.
2. You have a "favorite" person.
You love everyone, but sometimes there’s only one person you can talk to who would understand you. That’s your favorite person.
3. You eat almost every meal together.
Brunch is super important on the weekends in college!!!!
4. Fights end much quicker in college.
It’s very difficult to avoid confrontation since you all live in the same place, which I find beneficial. It lets us get over it and move on, because in all seriousness, we have bigger things to worry about.
5. Fights can escalate quicker in college.
Because you all live in the same place, fights can escalate much faster than normal. It follows and mocks you all around campus. It blows up and you have to be ready to fight back.
6. You get separation anxiety without friends in your classes.
This was a huge problem for me in high school. My grades would suffer because of it. Being in other group projects and activities that you’re both not in can be a great thing! Independence is super important, especially in college.
7. You can't escape your college friends.
Unless you leave campus or lock your door and pray your roommate doesn’t bother you, your friends will find you. At least in high school, you could use your mom as an excuse…
8. You spend more time with your friends in college.
Part of the inescapability, you spend so much time with your friends in college. It’s hard to be bored when you’re constantly surrounded by people you enjoy spending time with.
9. College friends weren't there for your past.
This is a simple concept, but it’s sometimes hard to realize it. They don’t get the inside jokes or that favorite karaoke song of yours. They don’t know the stories –the memories –you lived.
10. There aren't as many "momentous" events to witness.
High school friends can witness many things –best birthdays, when you got your driver’s license, etc. But the only “momentous” occasion you may get to celebrate with your college buds is the blessed age of 21.
11. College friends don't care if you're busy.
High school friends can witness many things –best birthdays, when you got your driver’s license, etc. But the only “momentous” occasion you may get to celebrate with your college buds is the blessed age of 21.
12. Mom can no longer interfere with your life.
Not that she cared too much about those private gossip sessions, but having interruptions in serious conversations is a tad annoying. Luckily, the dorms have locks!
13. Movie nights are cooler with high school friends.
Unfortunately, there are “better things” to do than watch movies on a Friday or Saturday night in college. They also have couches and “private settings” that don’t get you into screaming matches with your neighbor about noise complaints.
14. You get to graduate with both high school and college friends.
That's the best of both worlds -on separate occassions, of couse.