I know it doesn’t seem like anyone could even compare to the girl/guy that stayed up and had late night snacks with you while watching movies, helped you study last minute, played video games with you until oh-my-god in the morning, or helped you through whenever you and your significant other had a fight.
Meeting new friends in college isn’t all that easy either. You definitely start out as a beginner, since being the new kid means you only know people that started that school the same year you did (that you knew from high school or met at orientation), or you knew previous students on the campus. You are scared to make a best friend, because no one knows you. You are afraid of someone else finding out about the real you. I don’t know about you guys, but for someone to see all of me, is a big deal. To know about my family, my relationship, my past, what I want my future to be; what if someone else doesn’t accept that? What if I was lucky enough to find at least one, well okay, two people to accept all that about me, and those people aren’t going to college with me?
Let me say it like this. Those friends that you are scared of losing, if you want them to stay in your life, you’ll find time for them, and they will find time for you. Regardless if it’s one text a week, asking how classes are going, sometimes that is just enough to make your week. College is hectic and time-consuming. Don’t think your old friends forgot about you. Maybe they just don’t have as much free-time anymore as they once did. Trust that your previous impressions of them were right, and they will continue being in your life.
On the other hand, make new friends on campus. I’m NOT saying forget about the friends you have, because you can’t, not if they were that important to you. But make friends with peers in your classes, especially if you have more than one class with them. Make homework dates, grab coffee or lunch, get to know your classmates a little. These friends will make college a little easier, and you can still keep the hometown friendships. You may not see them as much, but visiting them will be 10x more special now.
I also know it’s difficult to make new friends, especially when you are an anti-social introvert like me. I’ve been trying a new thing out where I make myself introduce myself to one person a week. 35,600 students attend Kennesaw State University. I should be able to meet less than 30 people a semester; I mean, that’s a class full of students.
Keep in touch with your old friends, but don’t be afraid to make new friends.
