This article was written by Sofia, 23.
University can foster strong, life-long friendships for many students. But, like in all relationships, your uni friendships will change over time. One of the biggest challenges of uni friendships is maintaining them after graduation. If this sounds like you then you're not alone. The Mix are here with some top tips to help you stay in touch long after the final lecture...
Don’t just text them, call them!
Texting and sending memes is a quick and fun way to check in on friends but calling them can show that you’re still interested in having meaningful conversations with them.
You could arrange regular calls with your friends to catch up or be spontaneous and ask if someone is free to call in the evening. Whilst it’s common to reserve calls for when it's a friend’s birthday or for when someone is struggling and needs advice, don’t feel like you have to have an important reason to call them.
Set up a shared photo album
If you and your friends all have iPhones, setting up a shared album is a great way of keeping in touch with your friends. You could upload photos of random stuff you see outside that might make your friends laugh or serious milestones such as family weddings or trips abroad.
You can like and comment on pictures and videos and create a digital photo library of your friendship that you can all look back on.
Create a shared playlist
Although you’re all no longer in your uni homes playing music together, that doesn’t mean that you still can’t share your favourite songs with each other.
Sharing new music means you’re still keeping up with your friends’ latest tastes and interests despite living further away. It’s also a great way for you to experience new things together whilst being physically apart.
Meet your friends at a middle point
Uni friendships might mean that you have friends from all over the country and beyond which can be both exciting and daunting. Whilst it’s nice to go and visit your friends’ hometowns, sometimes the distance can prove costly when it comes to transport and time.
To save you and your friends the burden of taking turns to travel long distances, deciding on a city or country to meet in that is roughly in between could potentially save you both time and money. This also allows you to experience new cities with your friends and make new memories together.
Send postcards to your friends
You won’t always be able to go on group holidays or see new places with your uni friends since everyone has different schedules and financial situations. So, if you do go and visit a new place, send a postcard to a friend whilst you're there to let them know that you’re thinking of them.
Be the kind of friend you’d want to have
The distance that now separates you and your uni friends means that more effort is required to maintain your friendship. If you feel like you're losing touch with friends, be the one to start that shared playlist, send them a postcard or meet up with them.
Not only will this show that you care, but it might motivate your friends to do the same!
Make new friends
Whilst it’s great to keep in touch with your university friends, this new period of your life opens up opportunities to meet new people. Some graduates move to new cities where they might not have a close circle of friends; others move back home and might have few old school friends still living in the same area.
Whilst these new environments may leave us feeling isolated, don’t hesitate to try and join new sports clubs or engage with your local community to find new friends just like you did at university.
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