In movies and books, an aspect of college that is often displayed is friendship. Media presents college as the place where you find your best friends, and with these friends you will go to Florida on spring break, have movie marathons, eat ramen, and populate your Instagram. This is true; however, it is only true to an extent. The friendship experience varies for everyone.
Before arriving on the St. Norbert College campus back in August, I had met up with my roommate for coffee and dorm shopping. I had also been in contact with others who would be residing within the Bergstrom Hall with me. However, it was surface-level contact in which I engaged within. Therefore, after my family dropped me off, I really was not familiar with anyone. This was to be expected.
I perceive myself to be a social individual, and I enjoy meeting new people. So, the reality of having to begin entirely new friendships was exciting. Yet, I did feel lonely at times. My peers surrounding me were all friendly, and I spent a lot of time with them. However, we were all vulnerable from leaving the comfortability of home and the ones who understand us the best. We had to start over, and it was not easy. It takes time to gain trust and share similar experiences with one another. The process was tiring, but I realize I have developed some of the most sincere and amiable relationships upon beginning college.
When I reflect on my time in high school, I had a really great time. I was surrounded with peers that enjoyed having fun, and we supported one another in the different areas of life. I had school friends, church friends, dance friends, soccer friends, and work friends. Within each group of friends, I shared unique experiences. In college, it is similar. My friends here are very fun to spend time with, and they are supportive and intentional. However, my friends here at St. Norbert come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. I have peers as far as California and as local as Appleton, Wisconsin. Therefore, my friendships are dynamically different in exciting ways.
As I have begun to establish friendships with various types of people, there are two peers that I enjoy spending time with the most. One is my roommate, and the other is my “nextdoor neighbor”. Funny thing, their names are Breanna and Brianna! I call the three of us “the trio” because we always seem to be with each other. And, if we aren’t where one is, the other is close behind. As a trio, we like to have movie nights, and we do a lot of our studying either in the library or at a local coffee shop called Luna’s. When it was fall, we enjoyed stringing up our hammocks by the river and doing our class work, but, now that it is getting cold outside, we find places indoors. Whenever we are stressed or in need of some motivation, we like to have dance parties and listen to my Spotify playlists. Quite often, in the evenings, we will grab blankets, sit on the futon, and just talk about life. The three of us are also establishing a tradition on Thursday evenings. At an on-campus restaurant called Dale’s, they have jumbo quesadillas every Thursday. So, the three of us go there for dinner to watch a football game or talk. We also engage several of our other friends within Bergstrom, and these friends we like to call the “First Floor Lounge Group”.
In the Bergstrom Residence Hall, there are three floors. On each floor, there is a lounge. Throughout all of Bergstrom, there are two bigger friend groups and a few smaller ones. These formed naturally within the first few weeks of school by personality types. As a “First Floor Lounge Group” we enjoy watching Packer games, doing homework, and having game nights. If I am ever in need of socialization, it is guaranteed that there are people in the lounge to hang out with. Despite having a lot of inside jokes as a group, we have existential conversations as well. There are people from all walks of life within the “First Floor Lounge Group”; therefore, there is never a dull moment.
In addition to my trio and the “First Floor Lounge Group ”, I have friends within my education major that I will study and spend time with as well as church friends. On campus, there is a Christian organization called CRU that I participate in, and my peers in CRU are very energetic and inspirational. I have one CRU friend in particular that is an upperclassman, and she has been challenging me in to proclaim my faith through evangelism and community. I appreciate her mentorship and the challenges she presents to me, for I have seen myself grow in several ways from her encouragement.
Establishing “my squad” in college has been exciting, and I have learned so much not just of others but also of myself! I have been learning who I relate with the most, who I seek for mentorship, and who I enjoy having spontaneous fun with. I am certain that my friendships will continue to change and grow throughout my time here at St. Norbert, and I encourage everyone to be open to spending time with others unlike yourself. You never know what you will learn!
