LIFE

Going to college often means saying goodbye—to your childhood room, your beloved pet dog and your family and friends, even if it's just for a couple months. But just because high school is over doesn't mean that your friendships have to be over as well! If you've been feeling nervous that the physical distance between you and your besties at different colleges might negatively impact your friendships, don't worry. Staying connected is 100% possible with some creativity, love and effort!

1. Scheduled video calls

Are you and your BFFs suddenly in different cities, states or even countries? No matter the distance, today's digital age easily allows you to see your friends face-to-face—through a screen. Once a week (or whenever you're all free), schedule a FaceTime or Zoom call so that you have a date and time specifically put aside for your friends and nothing else. And while catching up with the squad about your dining hall antics or hilarious chemistry professor will always be fun, you can also spice it up by hosting a Netflix Party (where you'll all be able to watch Netflix in sync) or playing multiplayer games together (such as Among Us or Overcooked).

2. Snail mail

Sure, your friends are always just a text away...but isn't there something so special about handwriting letters for someone? Buy stamps at your closest post office or Walgreens, along with some adorbs stationary and pens. Writing letters (or even fun postcards!) to exchange back-and-forth will allow you to really sit down and think about what you want to say to your bestie. The anticipation and joy of getting new mail is *so* worth the wait.

Want to elevate this idea in an even more creative way? Commit to making a shared scrapbook with your friend(s). Pick out a cute notebook together, then start filling it up with journal entries, doodles, ticket stubs, stickers or anything else that you want to document during your time in college. When you feel ready, mail it to your BFF, who'll eventually mail it back to you! Bonus points if you stick to it all throughout college—flipping through the pages from freshman to senior year together will def be unforgettable.

3. Create a shared calendar

For all the organized girlies out there, a calendar isn't just a tool—it's a *necessity*. If your calendar already has your top priorities (e.g. classes, appointments), why not add your friends into the mix? With tools such as Google Calendar or the app TimeTree, you can share a calendar with your besties and see each other's marked down events. This is especially useful if you all have different school breaks. You'll be able to plan your epic hangout reunions ahead of time if you know *exactly* when the whole squad is going to be in town.

4. Keep the group chat alive

Ah, the dreaded dry and intermittent texts of a dying group chat. There's no doubt that college can get busy with exams, club meetings and social events always coming up. If you're finding that you often forget to text the BFF group chat, consider suggesting a new tradition: A POTD, or Picture of the Day. Simply send a photo from your day (or week, if daily updates are too unrealistic) with a brief explanation/description, even if it's just a pic of a cute squirrel you saw on campus or an aesthetic shot of your brunch. It's a fun way to update each other on your daily lives, and even seemingly mundane POTDs can spark long text convos.

Are you and your besties *loving* this article? Check these out for more:
💖 This new social media app is the best way to keep in touch with your BFF this summer
💖 How to deal when your friends have busy schedules
💖 16 conversation starters to get even closer to your best friends

Tag us in your cutest BFF pics on Instagram @girlslifemag!

All GIFs via GIPHY
Slider image via @erikamtitus

by Jinny Kim | 10/19/2022