College is a time to spread your wings and escape your hometown. When I chose to go to college three hours away, I was expecting to do just that. I was ready to leave and never look back. I couldn’t wait to meet new people and have so many new experiences.
When I found out that my best friend had decided to attend the same university as me (purely coincidental, no decision making was based on the other), I was both thrilled and nervous. I couldn’t wait to continue my schooling with my friend, but I also had read numerous articles and blogs about what happens when you go away to college with your best friend. The horror stories of ‘breaking up’ because you’ve spent too much time with that person haunted me and made me so nervous, so we decided it was best to room separately in hopes that we would stay friends. After one year at school, I think it’s safe to say that all of those stories were wrong. My best friend spent so much time in my dorm room, it’s basically like she lived with my roommate and I. I had the best first year experience with her. So here’s why going to college with your high school best friend is a great decision:
- You get to be the mom friend when she needs it.
Sometimes you need to be straight with your friends and tell them when they’re making bad decisions. Thankfully, when you’ve known your friend for so long, it’s easier to let them know when they’re making poor choices and not feel guilty about it, because they know you’re just trying to help them.
- And in return, you get a mother when you need it.
It’s also super important to have a friend let you know when you’re being stupid. Your best friend is always there to give you advice when you really need it because you can’t always call your mom whenever you need some help, so a mom friend is the second best thing to have.
- You always have someone to reminisce with.
It’s always fun to tell stories from high school, and it’s even more fun when you get to share multiple stories with someone. You two have been through it all and it’s a great feeling to be able to remember old memories while making new ones.
- You two are (too) comfortable with each other.
The good thing about having your best friend at the same college with you is that you don’t have to feel gross in front of them. They’re basically family and they’ve seen you at your worst. You don’t have to feel ashamed for your nasty cravings or gross habits because they’ve seen it all.
- The car rides to school are the best.
The three hour carpools are more fun when you have someone to talk to and sing with. My best friend and I like to find license plates from different states as we drive. It’s just nice having someone else in the car with you because, let’s face it, driving by yourself is boring. And it saves on gas!
- You always have someone to hangout with.
If you need someone to get lunch with or study with, you know your best friend is always down if they’re free too. It’s never a question if you two are both sitting around doing nothing that you could go to one another’s room and do nothing together.
- They also won’t get mad if you don’t want to hang out.
Everyone needs space. Your best friend won’t get mad if sometimes you don’t want to be around people or just want to grab dinner by yourself. You’ve known each other long enough that saying no to hanging out isn’t mean, it just happens.
- You can complain about how dumb/smart you are.
They’ll just listen when you have to complain about how ‘stupid’ you are after you bomb a test or get a bad grade. They won’t tell you to “stay positive” because, sometimes, you just need to complain. And in return, they also will let you brag and boast about yourself when you get a good grade or nail a speech. They won’t think you’re vain and they’ll be celebrating with you.
- You never have to ‘catch up.'
You get to talk to your best friend in person every day, or every other day, or whenever you want to. You don’t have to schedule FaceTime or Skype calls and text each other when something big happens because they live right within walking distance. And you don’t have to say the hard “goodbye” as you both leave for school because she’ll be there with you.
- You get to go to college with your best friend.
The most obvious but the best reason. I honestly don’t get why there’s so many articles about the dangers of going to school with your BFF. I absolutely love my best friend and I’m so thankful that we’ve found ourselves at the same college. I get to make so many great new memories alongside my favorite person and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
So if you coincidentally find yourself going to college with your high school best friend, embrace it. They’re your best friend for a reason and they should be one of the people that you can tolerate, and can tolerate you, every single day. Make the most out of having your best friend by your side for the next four years.
