Written by Chloe Debono
Moving away from home for university has overall been a great experience, but one of the hardest parts was leaving behind the friends I used to see regularly. On top of that my degree requires me to complete 1000 hours of placement, which has made it even more challenging to stay close to the friendships I have made at university.
Maintaining long distance friendships takes mutual effort, but there are many small meaningful ways to stay connected, even when life gets busy.
Acknowledging there is going to be a change
Having a simple discussion around the fact the friendship dynamic will change reinforces the needs and expectations to keep the friendship thriving.
Scheduling calls
Life can be busy, especially when you are studying or working, organising a time when you are both free avoids the endless game of phone tag, and gives you something to look forward to. Have time being put aside for a call can make the friendship feel more valued, thus making it stronger.
Planning time to see each other
Whether it is a quick trip away, or just a quick coffee catch-up, spending time in person can strengthen your friendship, after not seeing each other for a while.
Planning in advance allows you to look forward to spending time with that person.
Keeping up with special events/milestones/everyday life
Making an effort to remember birthdays, interviews, exams, and special occasions, with a simple message, sending flowers for the passing of a loved one, or to celebrate something can be a special gesture that doesn’t go unnoticed.
Checking in
Just a simple, how are you message can go a long way. Even if you don’t have time for a long conversation, letting someone know you’re thinking of them helps maintain the friendship.
Sharing photos
Photo dumps to share what you have been up to – even the small things such as getting a coffee, or a picture of the beach – can help you feel more involved in each other’s life. It’s a fun and casual way to stay in touch and share the moments you would otherwise miss.
These strategies have really helped maintain and strengthen my friendships and have been really beneficial to keeping the friendships alive.
Charlie blog is a SSAF funded initiative.
