Over summer we are met with the struggle that is separation anxiety from our friends. You feel like you're lost and don't know what to do with yourself. I'm not exaggerating. Trust me. Going from being with people every day to not seeing them for 3 months is really hard. That combination of living with your parents again and not having your friends around constantly makes summer a very weird time for a college student.
There's something truly unique about the friendships and bonds that you form while at college. You always hear everyone tell you, especially when you're in high school, that the friends you make in college are the ones who will be with you for the rest of your life. If you're anything like me you shrugged it off. But now, as an upcoming college junior, I completely understand what they all meant and I couldn't agree more.
The friends that I have made since beginning my college experience are truly amazing and unlike any others I've had before. It's crazy how people who you've only known for such a short period of time can become such a huge part of your life.
You're with them every day, sometimes even living with them. They truly become your family, your home away from home. You go through all of these huge life experiences together, become adults together, grow together, figure out your lives together. There's nothing like it.
Now there is a downside to these fantastic friendships... the separation anxiety that every college student faces when they leave school for the summer.
When you first get home its nice and relaxing. You're done with school and don't have any worries in the world. You can lay down, binge watch Netflix and enjoy life. But then a few days pass and you start to miss your friends.
What stinks the most about college is that all of your friends are from all over the country so you can't just walk over to their dorm or apartment to hang out. You're forced to rely on technology to get you through the days.
But even that doesn't fill the void. No matter how many times you FaceTime or stalk them on social media, and yes I do mean creepy stalking, like years back stalking, it just isn't the same.
Nothing compares to just being around your best friends and enjoying each others company. From sitting on your bed and talking for hours, to going on late night adventures to get food, to having endless movie nights; it's the little things that really make being together special.
But don't worry people! We will get through this. Absence makes the heart grow stronger and if you didn't believe that before you will once you are reunited with your people in the fall! I truly feel blessed to be surrounded by people who have had such an impact on my life.
As Winnie the Pooh once said, "How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
