How to Adjust to Attending College with your Best Friend

Choosing to go to the same college or university as your high school best friend can be an incredibly fun experience. It can also be what ends your friendship. The fact of the matter is, attending the same school as your best friend is a complex idea that deserves quite a bit of thinking. Check out these tips on how you and your best friends can attend the same school successfully.

Don’t Do Everything Together

Even if you have never felt overwhelmed because of your best friend, you might feel this way if you do everything together at school. This is why colleges tend not to match roommates with the same majors. Protect your friendship by rooming with other people or taking classes at different times. Join different clubs and eat meals with different people. This will ensure that you aren’t seeing too much of one another or growing dependent on each other.

Don’t Let Your Friendship Interfere with Your Social Life

Part of attending college is meeting new people and starting new relationships. Don’t let your friendship with your best friend hold you back from doing these things. If your high school friends are the only people you spend time with, or if you refuse to go to a club meeting or get dinner without your best friend there, you’re missing out! Make sure if you attend the same school as your best friend, that you both feel free to see other friends.

Don’t Let Your Friendship Interfere with Your Future

College is all about preparing for your future. You will have many opportunities like the chance to become a resident assistant, study abroad or have an internship. You may find yourself wanting to transfer schools or switch majors so you can ensure that you’re receiving the best education for what you want to do. Don’t let your friendship with your best friend stop you from doing any of those things, as this can often lead to resentment. Make sure that you both feel free to pursue your dreams.

Don’t Let Your Friendship Hold You Back from Change

Nobody leaves for college and returns the same person. College is about identifying who you are and becoming comfortable with yourself. For many, this might mean letting go of high school. Keep in mind that your best friend will remember your past. Don’t let your friendship stop you from becoming the person you want to be.