The Journey of Friendship: High School vs College

Whether you make better friends in college compared to high school can vary significantly from person to person depending on several factors.

Factors Influencing Friendships

Environment: College often provides a more diverse and open environment where students can meet people from different backgrounds, cultures, and interests. This diversity can lead to deeper connections. Conversely, the limited diversity in some high schools might mean fewer varied experiences in friendships.

Shared Interests

Shared Interests: In college, students typically choose their majors and extracurricular activities based on their interests, leading to friendships based on shared passions and goals. High school friendships, on the other hand, can be more based on proximity and familiarity rather than shared interests.

Independence

Independence: College students generally have more freedom and independence than high school students, allowing them to form relationships more organically without the constraints of a structured high school environment. High school sometimes has more structured activities and cliques which can make it harder to form new and meaningful relationships.

Personal Growth

Personal Growth: College is a time of significant personal development. Many people become more self-aware and confident, which can enhance their ability to form meaningful connections. Conversely, high school might see students more constrained by peer pressure and insecurities.

Time Commitment

Time Commitment: College schedules can be busier, but students often prioritize social activities more, leading to opportunities to build friendships. High school schedules, although also busy, might leave less time for independent activities and meaningful connections.

Personal Experiences

It is true that personal experiences and individual differences play a significant role in whether one makes better friends in college or high school. Some people find it easier to make friends in college because they are surrounded by like-minded people who are in the same stage of life. Others may find it more difficult because they are in a new environment with unfamiliar people.

For me, the experience was quite positive. In college, I had more confidence in myself. I matured between high school and college, and I felt good about myself. I had a clear vision of where I was going in life, and I knew I was smart enough to get there which boosted my confidence and ability to form meaningful connections.

A Personal Story

I was definitely one of those people who improved in social skills in college. In high school, my social skills were horrible. However, in college, I took a good hard look at who the popular kids were. A very kind girl named Marilyn, a cheerleader, encouraged me to try out for cheerleading. Although I was not selected, she convinced the cheer coach to add me as an alternate. This change in my social life significantly improved my confidence and my ability to connect with others.

In conclusion, the quality of friendships in high school and college is highly dependent on individual experiences, personal growth, and the effort put into maintaining those relationships. While college often offers a more diverse and open environment, the key to building meaningful friendships lies in personal readiness and willingness to step out of one's comfort zone.