In a previous article, I touched upon a subject about which I feel very strongly: the importance of communication. Being able to vocally communicate and talk through an issue is beneficial, but not only in an educational or work setting. In our personal lives, we should be able to talk to each other about something that's bothering us. Growing up, I was taught to use words to figure my way out of an issue. Those lessons stuck with me as I reached adulthood and college.

The ability to talk through an issue face to face should be expected of every one of us. This fact is ever so prevalent in the era of cell phones and the internet. If you're having trouble, it's so easy to hide behind a screen and ignore someone, ghosting them, and ultimately making them feel awful. Everyone's been on the receiving end of this treatment, and some have even been instigators. It may seem easy to avoid a problem in this manner, but more often than not, it will hurt you in the long run. I've personally lost a few friends due to a sheer lack of communication on both ends. While it (obviously) stung initially, I soon realized that these people would only end up dragging me down with them. I chose to cut my losses where I was and move on with my life. College prepares us for the real world, and a big part of that preparation involves thinking for yourself. As is always my advice, all I can say here is to use your best judgment. If the other person isn't giving you the time of day, then you shouldn't be wasting your time.

For me, the hardest time to be able to communicate a problem is when someone has upset me. If you're angry, your common sense is often clouded and you won't be thinking clearly. You wouldn't necessarily want to talk to anyone in that state of mind. With that said, I've been also been the person on the other side of the equation. I would want someone to approach me if I did something to annoy them. In cases like this, the first step to take a breath and take some time. If you act on your emotions, you'll likely make a radical decision. This rarely works in your favor, and you might create a new problem that can't be fixed. Instead, take a few days to calm down and analyze the situation. If after that, you're still feeling uneasy, make the attempt to talk to the other person/people involved. Try to resolve the situation, but once again, you need to do what you think is best for you. If the problem can't be resolved, it may be best to walk away. It's unfortunate, but at the end of the day, it's likely better for you.

You don't have to have bitter hatred towards the other person. If you've genuinely put in the effort to restore what was once had between you, that's all that anyone can ask of you. Part ways respectfully, knowing full well that you put in the effort. To anybody who is going through a struggle with a friend or classmate, you can power through. No matter what the outcome, talking through the problem will get you there faster than hiding behind a screen.