This past August, I moved from Gainesville to Orlando and left behind all my friends to start new at UCF. I moved to an apartment complex and had randoms for my roommates, except for one that I had only met on Facebook. On move-in day, I met all my roommates for the first time and was terrified. As a transfer student, it was my first time at a university. I might have cried at orientation when the O-Team did the UCF dance. It was also my first time living in a big city and my first time moving away from my parents.
Within the first week of living at the apartment complex I moved into, I loved my roommates and was so thankful that they were all so kind. During move-in weekend, my roommates and I went upstairs and met the people living above us and quickly became good friends with them. The first few months consisted of movie nights, dinner, and spending good time with the neighbors above me. They made my transition to Orlando so much more enjoyable than it could have been if I wouldn't have reached out to them. To this day they're great friends of ours.
In the first semester, we met several people on our hall. I took care of my neighbor's dog for a weekend, picked up another neighbor from work a few times, and cooked dinner for my neighbors several times. I honestly think that my relationships with my neighbors had a huge impact on my first semester at UCF and my transition to Orlando as a whole. Because I was studying and working often, being able to spend quality time with good friends was easier because they were my neighbors. Recently I met people who live two apartments down from me. My roommate and I have spent a lot of time with them as well. From movies and games to cooking and studying, we have spent a great amount of time with them and they have actually quickly become some of the best friends I have here in Orlando.
I've always known that I'm extroverted and love meeting and spending time with people around me, but living in an apartment complex that is primarily student housing has helped me meet some amazing people around me that have made a big impact on my life. I think that meeting your neighbors is amazing, not only for borrowing eggs but for making possible friendships that can have a lasting impact on you.
