Thanksgiving break is one of the best vacations during college because it is the first time many students will go home since the end of summer break. Ideally, it is a time to indulge in exorbitant amounts food, enjoy time with family and hang out with old friends from high school. The last part can be a little tricky though, especially freshman year. There is no doubt that keeping in touch with friends from home is not exactly the number one priority for new college students. It’s hard enough making new friends, let alone maintaining old friendships.
Keeping in touch with high school friends may seem like a no brainer, but for many it is something that is easily overlooked. Balancing old friendships with new ones can be difficult, but it’s worth it (after all, you will be spending all of winter break and potentially summer break with these people). In order to avoid the awkward first encounter when coming home for Thanksgiving break, follow these three easy steps before it’s too late.
1. Inside jokes. Most inside jokes aren’t really that funny, but it’s a simple way to keep your friendship relevant. For example, two of my best friends go to school in California and Maryland so we don’t always know what’s going on in each other’s lives. To keep the love alive, they have taken it upon themselves to send me pictures of cats whether it be via text message or Facebook. I don’t particularly dislike cats, but I definitely prefer dogs. Although it is annoying, we (they) can laugh about it just like old pals. Inside jokes are perfect for when you have nothing to talk about, but want someone to talk to. If nothing else, they make you feel important because you’re actually getting Facebook notifications.Â
2. Traditions. In the event that you haven’t talked to your friends from home for a while texting them to hang out when you come home can be uncomfortable. Maintaining old traditions and making new ones is the perfect way to occupy your time at home. Maybe ask your mom to plan a mother daughter luncheon. Moms usually break the ice and already know what everyone has been up to anyways because they’ve had nothing else to do since their children left the nest. After something like a mother daughter event, or maybe an annual pre-Thanksgiving bike ride you’ll feel less awkward with your old friends.
3. Video chatting and phone calls. This is crucial for staying close to your best friends. Everyone is busy, but this is the closest you’re going to get to actually hanging out with your BFF or BF or F so take time to actually talk to him or her. Take this opportunity to show them how you decorated your room or analyze recent albums posted by your mutual friends on Facebook. If you’re really dedicated, you should try to have a basic knowledge of their new friends from school. That way, they complain about them you have a faint idea as to what they’re saying. In all seriousness, keeping in touch with your friends from home is important to maintaining friendships. Distance is the true test of friendship and if you can make it work in college, you’ll probably be friends forever.Â