BY: Taniya Frazier
Graduating high school also means leaving behind some of your best friends. Spending four or more years with the same familiar faces can make you very attached to them. If you are lucky enough to go to college with your high school best friends, cherish it. However, college is about adventure, experience, and socializing. Go out and meet new faces while keeping contact with old ones. Try not to get so involved with old friends that you waste time that could be spent with potential new friends. Take my word for it- I know how important high school friends are coming into college, but do not let them stray you from the path of new friendships.
I was perfectly content with spending more time with my high school friends in college. Things were great for a while as we all shared the journey of being freshmen, but something went wrong along the way. I can’t tell you the actual point where we begin to grow apart. All I know is the pain that I felt from them not being a part of my life anymore. For a while, I was left confused, abandoned, and hurt. The worst part about being kicked out was always seeing them. Whether I saw them on social media or in school, they were always having fun and enjoying each other’s company. I missed that. I missed them.
I felt as if I couldn’t find my way back. I couldn’t get back to enjoying my college experience. I kind of floated by and by, acting as if lost friendships did not affect me. I grew tired of questioning what went wrong and started focusing on me. My achievements, my performance, and my determination allowed me to see that I am more than just a person who lost best friends.
I graduated from Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School and I wasn’t enjoying myself at first. I wasn’t familiar with the people, and I felt out of my element. Through the years, I had met some pretty amazing people. Although, only a handful that I still cherish close to my heart. There a few that I still talk to today.
I’ve also learned that just because you weren’t close friends in high school doesn’t mean that you won’t share many laughs and memories in college. Getting back to normal took a while, but now I am better than ever. I have found so many new friends that always make me smile. Don’t get me wrong- I don’t need people to be happy or feel special, but my extroverted personality loves to be around awesome people. With these wonderful people, I have not only found my way back, but I have set sail for a whole new journey.
High school friends are great to have; however, be prepared to greet new faces. With all the new friends that you will make in college, you will learn to be appreciative of the time that you had with your high school friends- I know I am.
The next time you see a new face walking to your next class, flash a smile or a wave because they might be your new best friend.
