We are really getting down to it. Some of us are packing up and heading home and others are crawling into week six. Whichever boat you're in, I'm sure the thought of leaving your campus for three months has dawned on you. You're no longer going to be seeing your usual best buds and it's kind of a scary thought. No worries, I'm right there with you. While I absolutely love being home, my home away from home will be missed dearly. Here are some ways to make it a little less painless.
1. Group chat
Get that group text started! It's so much easier to keep someone updated on your day and new things going on when you have a group chat going. You can finally text and not feel guilty for being unproductive! Time to send each other all of the gifs. That's summer, baby!
2. Group calls
Wow! What a brilliant follow-up. Even better than sending a message is being able to see or hear your friends. Skype has some pretty decent group call features. I suggest making it a point to call each other once a week or once every couple of weeks. You'll all get to catch up without going through too many friendship withdrawals.
3. Snail Mail
This is for my long-distance pals. I mean, how adorable would it be if you continued to get care packages while you were home?! Add some flare from your own hometown to send to their hometown. Friendship. Goals.
4. Plan to hang out
And this is for my for my local pals. Make some plans!! It'll be so much nicer to hang out! Will there be a dark cloud of midterms and/or essays hanging over your head? Nope! Only clear skies for three full months. Make sure you plan ahead! I'm sure we all know summer goes by in a heartbeat.
5. Snapchat streaks
Honestly, this is the easiest way to be consistently keeping in touch. Keep your streaks going and it's like you were never apart.
6. Make a routine
Even if it's just texting a picture of where you're at every day; it makes a world of difference. Make your bestie a part of your daily life no matter where you are.
7. Do similar things
Find a Netflix series you both want to watch and keep up with it together! There's nothing like the gossip on your fave TV characters to make sure you stay in touch.
8. Plan a road trip
Ah, the open road. Nothing says summer bonding like planning a road trip. The best part is that this works for local and long distance friends. Live far away? Let's make it a mini-vacation!
9. Make a joint Pinterest board
Nothing says "I miss you" quite like sharing a Pinterest board together of things you'll do when you're all back at school together. A drive to the beach, movie night; Pinterest is the greatest source of ideas for cute friend dates.
10. Tag each other on Instagram/Facebook posts
I have found that internet memes are the glue that holds any good friendship together. Do it if you want your relationship to last.
11. Share some playlists
Make those summer playlists and share them with your friends! Music brings everyone together.
In reality, you shouldn't be worried about staying in touch with the friends you want to stay in touch with. If you want it, it'll happen. You'll be unpacking into your room at school again before you even know. Have an amazing rest of the quarter/semester!
