The universal problem

First year students at college face many issues that are very similar to that of grade one students. One of these issues that may often be overlooked is the concept of friendship, and its importance in one’s education. We can all see the long term outcome but getting there can seem impossible at times. As human beings, by nature we are social creatures, thriving on the interactions between one another. When life starts to feel overwhelming having people around you, who are going though the same things and have the same interests, creates a bond much needed. Being thrown into a situation where a student may not have any friends to spend the long times between classes with, makes the experience less suitable. Consequently, the student starts to feel alienated and unwanted, creating issues with schooling. Personally, I haven’t felt this vulnerable since the first day of grade one. It feels like I have been thrown into a sea of unfamiliar faces, among people who judge me on first glance and do not get the chance to know me. The reaction of being back on the “playground” at lunchtime and having to find some common thread between me and another person makes a terrified knot tighten in my stomach. Yet, I continue to seek out people who will hopefully become my friends and not just classmates. Similarly to those early days in elementary school, praying I find people on the playground who are willing to share their lunches and swing on the swings with me.