By Tierra Varela | Broadcast Reporter
Though movies romanticize having a friend you instantly click with, that is far from reality. Some of your best friends will likely be people you become closer to over time.
If you’re like me and have had the same best friend since grade school, it’s easy to think your friendship is meant to be. But in reality, that closeness came from all the time you spent together growing up. Those kinds of friendships are built through what you experience together, like inside jokes and continuing to show up for each other, even when it’s hard.
Making friends is arguably one of the most difficult parts of the college experience. After moving in, one of the first things on your mind was likely trying to find that core friend group you can share your college years with.
But friendships aren’t that simple. They take time and continued effort. It can be frustrating when it seems like everyone around you already has an established group, but the strongest friendships usually develop over time.
Even if you don’t click on the first hangout, keep trying. It’s hard to imagine yourself as friends with someone you barely know, so give yourself the chance to get to know them on a deeper level.
Putting too much pressure on finding friendships can create unrealistic expectations of an instant connection. The more time you spend around someone, the easier it becomes to open up and learn who they are.
Friendships don’t appear out of thin air. They often start with small conversations, invitations to study, grabbing coffee or repeated attempts to find common ground. Just because a friendship doesn’t feel effortless doesn’t mean it lacks potential.
A slow burn friendship is one of the best kinds. It gives you time to discover shared interests, learn each other’s likes and dislikes, and build a genuine connection.
Some of your closest friends could be right next to you, but you’d never know unless you put in more effort than exchanging a few words. The more chances you give a friendship, the more opportunities you have to discover qualities in someone you might not have noticed right away.
While there’s nothing wrong with finding someone you instantly click with, taking the time to figure each other out can be just as worthwhile.
Don’t let your preconceived ideas ruin a friendship that could turn into something meaningful. It’s important to explore connections, even with someone you might not have liked at first.
Instead of waiting for someone to magically check all your boxes, approach friendships with curiosity and give people the opportunity to show you who they are.
