I love all of my friends dearly, and each of them holds a special place in my heart. Nevertheless, there is a special place in my heart designated for the friends I’ve made in my program. These friends have been monumental in shaping my undergrad experience (I can’t refer to them as my program friends for the entirety of this article but I can’t think of another word, so for lack of better word they will be referred to as my PFs).
I started my undergrad in the Fall of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, meaning that I essentially spent the first 2 years of my undergrad completely online until the Spring 2021 term. I was fortunate enough to have a roommate in my first-year residence that was in my program, and then I made another friend through a group project during that in-person Spring 2021 term. It really wasn’t until late into my third year that myself, that friend from the group project, and 2 other girls became a bit of a group, and now in my fourth year, not a day goes by that I don’t see or talk to at least one of them (this is my proof that you shouldn’t be worried if you don’t make friends in your program during first year).
My closest friends know the ins and outs of my life, my deepest darkest secrets, my ambitions, and what my least favourite food is (mushrooms — EW!), but they can’t grasp the exact feelings I have about class X, professor Y, and assignment Z. This is where my PFs come into play, and although we’ve developed a friendship that goes beyond academics, the collective academic struggle we are facing at any given moment is a special bond. Slightly sad and laughable at certain times, but still special.
It’s a beautiful thing to have people who are going through the same academic experiences as you, and to express your feelings and be met with similar sentiments. My PFs have offered me unparalleled emotional support that is specific to my emotional state due to school and quickly became my pillars of strength during times where I was experiencing some pretty intense imposter syndrome.
Especially at a school like the University of Waterloo that can sometimes foster a pretty competitive environment in terms of academics, having people in my corner who understand exactly what I am going through has been a paramount experience.
I’m thankful for each of these women who have allowed me a spot in their life. Not only has my undergrad experience been enhanced by these fine ladies, but so has my life.
As I make people jealous about how great my PFs are, I feel it’s my duty to also give some tips and tricks on how to make your very own PFs and friends in general during your undergrad.
In first year, everybody is anxious to meet people and make lifelong friends, so talk to anybody and everybody because one of those people might become a friend (P.S. nobody thinks you’re weird or annoying for trying to make friends).
Whether you’re in your first or fourth year, many classes do “Introduce Yourself” posts. I know if I were to look through them I would be looking for some key words that show me we have something in common like Taylor Swift, yoga, movies, and anything animal related. I know you all love to stalk people on social media so this would be the time to go follow them on Instagram and maybe be bold and send a DM!
UW clubs are also another helpful way to meet more people. I met a girl at my very first HerCampus meeting because we both were looking for the meeting room and then sat next to each other and she ended up giving me part of the prize she won (thanks again!).
Group projects, as annoying as they can be sometimes, are also an opportunity to make friends in your program. I am proof of this!
It’s never too late to make friends, whether inside or outside of school, but I hope everybody can get a chance to make friends within their program, because it really does alter your undergrad experience for the better. Kisses to my PFs.