It’s All (Relational)
Happy October everyone!
With another Fall Break in the books and school back in full swing, I thought I’d take a quick second to touch on a cornerstone of college that often goes taken for granted: relationships.
This past Fall Break, I had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time with my family in addition to catching up with my best friend from back home and a few other people I hold near and dear. The long ride home provided some time to reflect on the break and the half-semester past….
If any of you are like me, I was very anxious in high school about how my relationships were going to hold up in college—with family, friends from back home going other schools, etc. Of course they were somewhat easy to maintain in high school, since I had the pleasure of seeing both my family and friends everyday. But how would living in another state affect those relationships?
In addition to my personal relationships, I also wondered about how my interactions with college professors might be different than with my high school teachers—I’m sure EVERYONE has heard at least one horror story of a college professor who 1) Wasn’t really interested in teaching students or 2) Was intimidating beyond belief. How was I going to adjust if the horror stories just happened to be true?
Two dilemmas, two challenges to be accepted. But now I have found the solution.
The key to successful relationships in college? Intentionality
Great relationships, with everyone from family to professors, take effort and intentionality.
Whether it be planning monthly Skype check-ins or starting massive Facebook feeds, it is more than possible to keep in touch with old friends from back home. Even though I haven’t seen my best friend since August, we make it a point to check in every once in a while at school. I talk to my parents on a weekly basis, and, of course, I live for the once-in-a-blue- moon conversations with my wonderful little brother.
As for relationships with professors, Vanderbilt helps make it easy—every professor I have encountered thus far has had a wonderful passion for teaching and encourages students to stop by during office hours to ask questions or simply to discuss interesting course material. Not enough students take advantage of this and forego the opportunity to build lasting relationship with professors who care (and who probably can help you out in some way later!)
So, my last words of advice: To those of you anxious about the transition of relationships from high school to college, do not be alarmed. Like with anything, the best things in life take a little effort, but are worth working for in the end. College is a great time to cherish old ties and create new ones—it all starts by being intentional about being intentional :)
