“Ohana means family, family means no one gets left behind.” So true. In college, you develop relationships your parents or high school friends can’t understand. Don’t get me wrong, I love my parents to pieces, and some of my best friends are from my high school; nevertheless, you grow up in new ways in college. College, no matter where you attend school, is an opportunity to better yourself. Your friends at school see you more than they see their family nowadays, so they see all the parts of you. They see you at your best, but also at your absolute worst. The weekends are filled with talks about how much studying needs to happen but usually result in a fun night out followed by a day spent in the library.
College is this crazy world with little adults who aren’t really adults running around. Most of the mini-adults have a general idea of their life plan—some haven’t picked a major yet and some of them are sixth-year seniors whose parents may or may not want to cry at this point. No matter where you are in your college journey, you have those special people with you. Good friends are completely necessary in college, and I promise you would not survive one day without them.
Remember that one time in high school when you forgot your project on your dining room table? Then you texted your dad in a total panic asking if he could casually drop it to you before the first bell rang? OK, good. So here is my point. Now think in present times. You have a 2 p.m. exam and have been cramming in the library. All of a sudden, you don’t have your Scantron. It’s on your bed, and you have maybe 30 minutes until your test. This is the part where your friends take on your parent’s role. They tell you not to panic and they’ll be there in ten. BAM. Saved.
Summer used to be the most exciting time ever. Still is, but also just a little sad. You’ve lived with these people all year, and then they’re just gone for a few months. And sure, you can plan trips to see them, but it’s not the same. Most people would agree that finals week is the most stressful time ever, but at the beginning, everyone is in it with you. Everyone has finals up until Wednesday at least, and you all study together. Complete with study snacks and several people to help you through the mental breakdowns, you feel like you got this. Finals continue and it’s Friday. You have a Saturday final, but everyone else is either celebrating the end or has already up and left for the summer. Suddenly, it’s 3 a.m., and you’re all alone wondering how you’ll make it through with your people.
So appreciate your people while they’re still around, and plan as many gatherings as you can over the summer. They are absolutely your backbone when you’re at school. Not to mention, when you get back to school, football season starts! So the tailgating and total ridiculousness will resume soon. College part “whatever year you’re on” is to be continued…
Have a “nice-ish” summer without your people, but no worries, you’ll be back in action soon!
Side-note: I am totally psyched to see my high school humans too, so get ready because I’m coming home!
