by Ivan Anthony A. Adaro | February 22, 2023
Let’s face it, entering college is scary. It is a time when you are transitioning into a new chapter of your journey and a stage of your life wherein you are a step closer to your dreams. You will be experiencing a lot of life-long changes and diversities, including building a fresh start in an unfamiliar place.
Students at college go through one of the most transformative periods of their lives. From the moment students walk through the gates of their colleges to the moment they graduate and begin their adventure as career-driven individuals in the real world, a wonderful experience filled with opportunities to grow and learn awaits. Some students handle the experience more naturally than others, some may struggle a lot in this transitional time—but these are things in which there is nothing to be ashamed of.
A key to surviving college is establishing good ties with other students and friends, especially when one finds themselves in stressful situations where a strong support system is needed. Having strong, dependable relationships, especially in a university filled with many students, is essential for your college journey. This means that the friends you make during this period have a significant impact on you. But how can you build and maintain a strong circle in your college life?
The first thing that you should do is to accept the fact that you need people who can support you in this journey. The nature of college is that it challenges you, and for that, you need people that will continually be there to support you and inspire you to do your best—whether it may be in academics, social life, emotional health, or other aspects of your college experience. By being able to recognize that, you can enable yourselves to have that desire to think about the kind of friends you want to have and look for people with similar interests as yours.
Meeting new people, for better or worse, has to be the most profound feeling one can ever experience. Though it can be draining at times, it is important to make the first move and be approachable. Having meaningful or even simple talks with people and students around you can teach you not only how to understand others, but also how to understand myself—and this is a simple way to open up to someone and establish a connection with them.
To maintain healthy relationships and make the most out of your college experience is to surround yourself with positive and engaging people while also making time to do things outside of university life with them. It is common for students to become overwhelmed by their college life and experiences, especially if they are new to it. That is why find the time to take a break and do something fun with your friends such as going to malls, eating out in restaurants, or having an outing occasionally. Not only is it a way to hit the reset button, but it is also a way to strengthen the bond between you and your friends.
Increasing your social circle allows you to connect with people who like and appreciate you. Having a positive, friendly, and social circle gives you a sense of belonging and alleviates the fears of isolation. This goes without saying that one should understand that, even in social circles, there are limitations to be established and boundaries not to be crossed. Good communication and mutual respect are strong foundations to build and maintain a strong social circle. But most importantly, be aware of you and your friend’s surroundings and assess if you are in the right circle. At the end of the day, it is your happiness that matters. As long as you do not feel pressured and are happy with the people you choose to be around with, then you are on the right path.
College isn’t easy, but at no point in your life can you let your worries of entering a new phase in your life and anxieties of getting left behind get the better of you. Building and sustaining good relationships with other students and your friends can be a lifeline for many. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the academic experience, so having a social circle that also serves as a support system is critical. Even if you are a natural introvert, or find meeting new people draining in general, making a friend or two can make all the difference in the world.
