When I was in community college, it was easy to get acquainted with the come-and-go lifestyle. For me, that looked like just taking my classes and then catching the next bus home. So, making friends isn’t as easy as living on campus at a four-year college. But surprisingly, thanks to God, I still managed to get acquainted with a few people.
During my freshman year of college, taking exams was challenging, especially in my history class. I vividly remember one day when my stomach made loud, uneasy noises that echoed through the classroom. Almost everyone, including the professor, noticed, and he gave me concerned glances each time he walked by my desk.
One day after class, a classmate joked about my stomach. He volunteered to be my study partner to ease my frustration since he was doing well in the class. Twice a week, we met at the library with his friends and studied. We all also chatted and hung out at the Student Center for lunch. This was great for me because I got introduced to different things I didn’t think I would have an interest in. Finding my people helped me feel comfortable and included and made my overall college experience more enjoyable. Plus, this led me to pass all of my exams!
Every semester after that, I joined other study groups to meet new people and ace my courses. I learned that studying with others improved my social skills and helped me discover my strengths and weaknesses as a scholar.
Making friends can be hard sometimes, but it’s worth the effort. Especially, if it’s a brief connection. If you’re struggling to make friends, give yourself some grace; it takes time. Another thing to add is don’t stress yourself out about it. Find opportunities and hobbies you like on and off campus for self-fulfillment. Then, with time, your community will find you.