I think we can all agree that the start of classes this fall was sort of rough. If I could describe this quarter so far, I feel like I’m always chasing after time. I need to make time to do this, I have no time to do that. Time slipped between the cracks, and we are already at the halfway mark of the quarter.
I think one of the biggest reasons I feel so out of breath is because it has been such a long time since I’ve had to juggle my responsibilities with classes, clubs, friends, and family. While school is definitely at the top of my priority list, I’ve come to realize this quarter that friends are so important too.
In the summer, my housemates and I sat down and talked about the upcoming school year. For some of my housemates, It was going to be their final year at Davis. We talked about our upcoming schedules, and how busy everyone was going to be. All throughout last year’s spring quarter, my friends and I were doing something nearly every single day. Any free time we had to spare was dedicated to playing grass and sand volleyball, and we would head out on the weekends to go late-night bowling or play billiards or simply have dinner together. There was one thing we all wondered: would this carry on into the fall? Because from what I’ve heard, friend groups can change so much in the span of a quarter.
My housemates and I agreed that there was little chance that the friends we hung out with last year would be around when fall quarter started. Everyone was going to be busy with school, work, etc. We wouldn’t be able to see each other often.
But to all of our surprises, if anything, our friend group has not only gotten closer, but it grew too. Reflecting on this quarter so far, I could see my friends working hard to make time to hang out. We still play sand volleyball often, and even began to attend indoor volleyball open gyms. On the weekends, we’re still making time to spend time together.
It warms my heart that despite everyone’s busy schedules, they are willing to make time, even if it’s only for an hour or two. I realize now that, yes, school and classes are definitely important, but at the end of your college career, what will you remember? For me, I won’t remember that I did well on a midterm exam, but I will remember the people, the friends I made, and the memories from all of our times together.