College Life: New friends, new rules
College friends... 15 years after college.
What are friends for…
…if not to make your college life one big, exciting joyride, right? Especially if your friendship dates back to your pre-Barbie doll youth!
But here we must warn you to brace yourself for disappointment. Friends at school rarely remain friends in college, and it is perfectly natural for both of you to find new people to hang out with. Sometimes, it’s because both of you chose different things you want to do; sometimes, it’s because your parents’ dictated different colleges for you should go to. But mostly it’s because you’re both growing up and out of each other. It’s sad, but not terrible. The bright side? You get to make new friends all over again!
Year One
Your clique:
… is nonexistent as yet. Strange classmates and strange lecture halls make you think that you’ll remain friendless for the rest of your sorry, sad life. Don’t worry, though; things get better. Trust us when we say that the other girls (and boys!) around you feel just as bewildered as you do.
Your best friend:
Er, you don’t have one anymore. In all likelihood, she’s in another college, making other friends. How could she! But stay positive and, most importantly, make the first move. Your classmates have just lost their best friends, too; and, like you, they’re looking for replacements.
Your teachers:
College teachers are nothing like the boring stiffies in your ex-school. It’s easy to make a friend or two in them, and we recommend doing so.
What is a friend?
Year Two
Your clique:
You’re unbelievably trendy, fashionably hip, a regular Pop Princess among your classmates. You hardly think about the friends you left behind and life looks quite pretty. Finally, you’ve got a cool clique again!
Your best friend:
Found her yet? Good. But be careful: its early days still, and you’ve only known each other for a year. Things can turn sour in a hurry if you’re not careful. It’s important that the two of you still keep at least some parts of your life private… at least for another year.
Your teachers:
Start making your popularity count. Join clubs and societies and vie for the top posts (they’ll look really good on your CV). Teachers love students that volunteer for these positions!
Year Three
Your clique:
“Friends that study together pass together” they used to say. This crucial period is when your friends and you need each other most. All of you will have a pet subject, and you’ll all have a hate subject. Why not exchange notes and help each other out?
Your best friend:
If she’s still the same person, then you are firm buddies by now. The two of you can support each other in ways that the rest of your clique cannot; so stay in close contact, even during semester breaks — you’ll need it!
Your teachers:
All that kissing up over the past two years will really pay off now, and you can hassle your teachers into giving you additional tutorials if you need them. See? Being a teacher’s pet pays after all!
In the College Life series:
- College life: new freedom, new independence
- College life: new friends, new rules
- College life: your body, your health
- College life: boys, boys, boys!
- College life: study hard, study smart
- College life: fun, fun, fun!
