Rebekah Besserman

With school picking up and schedules tightening, it is exceedingly difficult to dedicate time to nurturing friendships. Classes are added and quizzes are due, but the friends you make early in college shouldn’t fall low on your priority list. Reaching out to new friends you may have made during orientation or in the first week of classes helps the transition feel less isolating.

The first week of school is filled with endless introductions and conversations riddled with new majors, hometowns and fun facts. Within the repetitive icebreakers and boring small talk, a miracle is made — classmates become friends. Dedicating time and effort to people who are just as scared and confused as you are could potentially build lifelong friendships.

Freshmen experience an influx of new people within three short days during orientation. While some love the experience and others hate it, new student orientation is an event all Longhorns must get through. Social media accounts and phone numbers may have been exchanged, but it is up to you to maintain that relationship.  

Orientation advisors were our first taste of college life and modeled how college students act. Marketing junior Saul Compean was one of the undergraduate students who stepped up to the leadership position. After taking part in orientation sessions spanning over seven weeks, he witnessed many different types of students, all of whom just wanted to belong. Compean said he struggled with his own freshman orientation experience.

“I don’t know if something was different, (but) it felt really hard to make friends and connect,” Compean said.

Not connecting with a group of people right away can be extremely discouraging or frightening.  On the other hand, friends you may have made by convenience in orientation or syllabus week are just as scared as you. Compean offers advice to freshmen who might get overwhelmed during orientation.

“Just don’t have expectations, be pleasantly surprised and just enjoy what you have of life, even if it’s really hectic,” Compean said. 

Beginning classes as a freshman feels like enough of a struggle without having the expectation of knowing everyone in your classes. Chances are, you probably won’t be friends with everyone.  But pay attention to the ones you know you have a connection with because you might build a lifelong friendship.

Gab Menjivar, a class of 2022 fine arts graduate, still keeps in touch with a friend she made freshman year. Menjivar said she now has to actively reach out to her friend, preserving their relationship despite no longer being in close proximity.

“It is really difficult (to maintain), especially when you’re growing and figuring out who you’re becoming,” Menjivar said.

The pair now live in different cities and live vastly different lives. Ultimately, she feels that their bond is worth the work and distance.  

“If there’s anything going on with me, she’s my first call,” Menjivar said.

Text your seatmate and ask them to coffee. Ask the person in front of you if they struggled with the readings. Make sure your new friend across the table knows that you’re here for them, and know they want to be here for you.

Lechner is a journalism sophomore from Rowlett, Texas.