You were so excited about starting your new adventures in college, until you were hit with the harsh reality of not seeing your squad everyday. The people who had been with you through the thick and thin (and especially awkward) phases growing up are now scattered at universities all around the country. All of a sudden, you began to miss the smallest things about your friendships that you previously took for granted: rapping all your favorite songs in the car, discussing the latest high school drama, and eating at your favorite local place. Although you're incredibly grateful for all of the amazing people you've met in college so far, these are some reasons you love your hometown friends now more than ever before:
1. The group text is always alive and thriving
You can almost count on having a plethora of missed messages and Snapchats when you walk out of class. Everyone is either talking about the random “remember when” moment, or going on about something eventful that happened the night before. Whatever you text about, there is never a dull moment in your group message, and they make you way more excited for when you get to have conversations in person.
2. The highly anticipated reunions
Facebook pictures, Instagrams and Snapchat stories only give you so much insight into your closest friends’ lives at school. Finally seeing each other after a few months (especially when the longest you had ever gone apart had been a week) is one of the best feelings. You get to truly value your time together in person, and now you enjoy all the things you loved to do together just a little bit extra.
3. They’re the best sources of outside advice
One of the perks of this arrangement is that you’re all having your own individual experiences. They don’t know the people you know, and you don’t know the stories of all their new friends. You can give advice from an unbiased perspective because you know them best, even though you weren't personally present for the experience they’re talking about. Also, you don’t feel held back from making new friends (and even making mistakes) because you know they are there to support you, even when they can’t physically be with you.
4. They truly become “forever friends”
Even with the stresses of school, extracurriculars and social events, you manage to make your hometown friendships important priorities. Surviving going to schools in different states proves your commitment to one another as friends, and these relationships will only get stronger in the years to come.
Sometimes, all you want is a hug from your far away friends or to all hang out like old times. However, you’re able to grow as individuals in your freshman year at school, and as a result, your relationships with your friends mature with you. Soon, you’ll be able to reminisce on your crazy college experiences and laugh, having survived the tough times but excited to experience the next chapter of your lives as best friends.
