College has already taught me a multitude of valuable life lessons. Along with those lessons, I have also learned about myself. I have learned in high school, I tended to lean towards having more guy friends. The negative stigma placed on having a group of girl-friends affected my mind-set. I thought that all girl groups were out to get each other. Entering college was the biggest wake-up call I could have ever imagined. I started living with 3 girls, whom I had never met before. (I should add that I'm an only child) I quickly adapted to actually living with people (it was kind of like having siblings for the first time) and on top of that they were girls! The lessons I learned from living and learning about my roommates helped me forge new friendships outside our suite. I soon began to develop roots with the girls I worked with and even the ones I met in classes.
Lessons have been learned from living with my roommates and forming intentional relationships with girls I have met in my first year in college.Speaking on behalf of the girl who wasn't exactly a "girls-girl" prior to this past year, I think she's made some good progress so far.
1. Don't focus on developing a large group of friends. Remember quality, over quantity.
Pay attention to the friends that you have near you. You could only have 2 decent friends, focus on them. Make them your tribe. Invest in what you have, don't worry about having the world be your best friend.
2. It's okay to be vulnerable. Let those walls down and let her help you through it.
Don't be afraid to show them what's really going on in your head. If you happen to tell them a story and you feel the tears coming, don't hide it. Be real with them. Your girls have your back!
3. They'll tell you how it is and you'll dish it right back out.
If she gets real and honest with you, try not to take offense. She only has your best interest at heart. And hey, if your friend doesn't tell you then who will? Appreciate that she's being honest with you and remember to be gentle if you're the one dishing out the piece of humble pie.
4. If you're feeling like loving on them (and they won't have a panic attack if you do so) THEN LOVE ON THEM.
You haven't seen them in a week and your heart is exploding with happiness, show them how much you missed them! I've personally gone two days without seeing one of my co-workers and the day I saw her, she may have gotten squished in a very tight hug. Make sure prior to showing your girl friend how much you missed her, that she is okay with the sudden dosage of affection.
5. Be as weird as you want because I promise she will be even stranger.
Thank you for not questioning my strange favorite things to eat. I appreciate that we can sing Disney songs off-key together and not care that everyone on the floor can hear us. Accept her as the strange little weirdo she is and she'll do the same! Just a forewarning- wait to be level 10 weird until after you two are relatively close, you might scare them if you don't wait.
Thank you for teaching me to be more of a "girls-girl". I mean hey, we're all going to need bridesmaids one day right?
