Staying Friends After College
I am a firm believer that you meet your best friends in college. Through my years at Ball State, I met the most incredible people whom I am lucky to call my lifelong friends. In college, we spent every day together. Somewhere between late nights at Bracken library (and the bars hehe) we became best friends. But once we all walked across that stage at graduation, everything changed. We moved out of the home we shared together, we started new jobs, and we officially became “adults”. I’ll admit it was a tough transition... Because I couldn’t walk across the hall and see my best friend anymore. I missed my friends and I still do three years later. But although our lives are changing, it’s still possible and important to maintain our friendship even if we are miles away.
Communicate
Whether you’re texting, calling, or facetiming communicate with your friends. Even if it's here and there, having that little bit of connection will keep your friendship solid.
I’ll text my friends funny pictures of us that come up on my timehop or if something reminds me of them-- I'll message them and say “Hey! I was just thinking of you! Hope you’re having a good day!” I know we’re all busy, but these small gestures go a long way. You just have to make the effort.
Ask how they’re doing, show interest in their lives just like you did while at school. It can get lonely after college, especially if you move away from everyone you know... So keep up with each other. Staying in contact will make you both feel better and give you the comfort in knowing your best friend is still there for you.
Communicating regularly shows you’re still invested in that friendship.
Make Plans
This is so important! You have 365 days in a year, set aside some time to see your bestie. I know it can be difficult to meet up especially if you’re at your first full-time job or if you live out of state. But express this to your friends and let them know your current situation. Then reassure them as soon as your vacation days kick in—you're ready for a weekend full of fun.
I have some friends who live fifteen minutes from me and others who are hours away. But regardless of the miles between us, we still try to make it a priority to meet up at some point throughout the year. Here are a few plans my friends and I have made:
Meet up for coffee/dinner
Plan a girl's night
Celebrate a birthday
Road trips
And although these things don’t happen as often as we’d like we are still so thankful for the time we do spend together.
Since I graduated, I started a full-time job, moved to Indianapolis, and just like everyone else I am so busy. My friends are in grad school, getting married, and even having babies! We’re growing up, crazy right? Everything has changed. But that doesn’t mean our friendships have to. Just remember how important your friends are to you and don’t let your new life leave loyal friendships behind. I know firsthand good friends are hard to come by, so I’m holding on tight to the ones I have.
So ya'll are stuck with me forever!
xo,
Dani Kaye