Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for our friends, new and old. It’s also the first time you and all your friends are meeting after venturing out on your big college adventures. While this reunion is certainly a joyful one, it can be an interesting one as well. College has a different effect on everyone. You’ll find your friends can be placed in at least one of these categories based on their college experience thus far.
The Friend Who Can’t Get Over High School
It’s not too early to be reminiscing on high school days (after all, it was only a couple of months ago), but if the only way they can start a conversation is with “Remember when…” then you’ve got a problem. Try to encourage them to see the positives in their current situation. College can’t be the same as high school, nor should it. Remember: Nothing is set in stone yet. It’s your first semester. Heck, it’s your first year of college. If you’re not enjoying school, don’t worry. If you are enjoying school, great!
The Friend Who Can’t Get Over College
They’ll be the one wearing their own school’s sweatshirt when they come to hang out. They can’t get enough of college. In case you haven’t already asked, things are going GREAT for them. They are the happiest they’ve ever been! Don’t feel intimidated or left out if someone keeps bragging about their experience in college so far. They could just be really excited, which they should be! Or (more than likely) they’re trying to over exaggerate their time to keep up appearances. This is something every college student does during breaks, to various extended family members and friends. It is an art. Don’t feel like you have to do this with your friends, though.
The Friends Who Go to School Together
This can be extremely difficult to listen to, especially if the majority of your friends are going to the same school. The ultimate FOMO is realized after hearing one of their stories: the times they run into each other on campus, the crazy professors they share, how they hung out with so and so from high school at a party. You may find yourself fuming at how seemingly easier it was for them because they had someone there to endure the painfully awkward first weeks of college. Remember you have your own stories and experiences to share. Don’t be afraid to remind these guys that you don’t go to school with them.
The Friend Who Stayed Home
Of course, there’s more ways to go after high school than heading off to college. It’s important to remember those who aren’t taking the traditional route; perhaps they’re spending a few years at a community college, taking a gap year, or have a job that doesn’t require higher education. Make sure to listen to their experiences as well, instead of steering the conversations towards everyone’s college stories. It isn’t easy being the only friend at home while everyone else is at school. Recognize that going or not going to college isn’t the end all be all for life plans.
The Long Distance Couple Friend
Thanksgiving is usually the breaking point for most long distance couples, so it will always be interesting to see what couples have made it so far. Unless you’re one of those that doesn’t make it. It doesn’t say anything about a couple if they break up. Being in a LDR takes a lot of work. It’s hard to stay together as you’re both learning and changing in different environments. What this friend needs (whether they’re still in a relationship or not) is someone who will just be there to listen.
Things may seem off with your group now because you’ve been apart for so long and have such a short reunion, but don’t worry! Winter break will be longer, and it’s coming just two weeks after Thanksgiving break. For now, just be thankful you don’t have to worry about studying for finals (yet).