I think we can all agree, one of the hardest parts of college isn’t exactly the academic sphere, but the social. Coming into a new school, most people don’t have a single friendly face to fall back on, and this can be intimidating.
Immediately, we timidly begin to make new friends but soon enough, true friendships are formed and relationships begin.
Through the years, the new relationships grow and are strengthened, feeling as comfortable as the friendships you’ve had since you were in grade school. As comfortable, as fun, but not exactly the same.
Old friends from home and new friends from school have completely different dynamics. But each has a special and irreplaceable spot in our hearts; both deserving of a tribute for their unique impacts on our lives.
As one of my old friends said to me during this break, “With friends from home, it's catching them up on your present; with college friends, that's catching them up on your past”. This is so true.
Old friends are familiar and easy. They already know everything about your life. They know your family on a personal basis, and know all about your past and every dream you’ve ever had for the future. They’ve seen you through your awkward adolescence, poor middle school fashion decisions, and messy, childish old relationships.
Friends from home know all the same people you do, and chances are they have the exact same opinions about them. When something dramatic happens with an old classmate or teacher, no one at school understands your excitement or shock. The friends that have grown up with the very same people, however, can always relate.
And old friends from home relate to you on a deeper level. You know they’ll always be there for you because they’ve demonstrated that year after year, since elementary school. They know just how to make you laugh, understand every inside joke, and still see the beauty in you, even though they’ve lived through your every awkward moment growing up. When even being at separate colleges can’t change the relationship you have when you return home, you know it’s one worth keeping.
Being states apart, on the other hand, can’t change the relationship you have with the new friends you’ve made at school. They, contrary to your friends from home, only know as much about your past as you choose to tell them, and therefore know you as you are now; however you choose to reinvent yourself at school.
With them, there is less pressure to be what was expected of you from the reputation you built for yourself in high school; their friendship is free, but also relaxed.
Friends from school are often made based upon similar characteristics and skills, because you meet these people from clubs, events, and social settings in which you both share an interest. Therefore, friends at school deeply relate to what makes you, you. They think the same things are funny, have the same morals, and want similar things. Even though they’ve only known you for a couple of years, they still understand you because they want to make the effort.
They know your every move and still love you, despite being with you 24/7 and seeing your every flaw and breakdown. When even living almost 200 miles apart can’t separate your bond, you know it’s one worth keeping.
However, through it all, the friends you make at college should never replace the ones you had in high school. Both are unique, special types of friendships and both are valuable and extraordinary in their own ways.
What a blessing to have found such wonderful friends, both old and new. I can only hope to continue making such beautiful relationships for the rest of my life.
