Fall semester is always super exciting: you're back on campus with your friends, all the food you've missed has never tasted better and you're settling into your new apartment and decorating. Things are going great, minus one little detail. Uh... where the hell are all my friends?? Oh, that's right. They're in Italy, England, New Zealand, Ireland, Spain, France, Australia... do I need to go on? I've compiled a list of ways to get through this hard semester without your friends.
1. Try not to think about it
That's the best way to fix a problem, right? Avoid it completely?? The more you ignore it, the less betrayal you'll feel!
2. Make new and better friends that won't leave you
Yeah, you expect me to just wait around to make new memories by myself? No, thanks! I'm sure making new friends during junior year is super easy! It's not like everyone already has a group of friends already or anything!!
3. Delete them from social media
You don't need to see what they're doing constantly without you. Why do I care if you're sitting by the Seine River drinking wine? I don't need to see that in between my back-to-back 2 hour classes!
4. Pretend to be with them on their adventures
If you have strong separation anxiety, make a (easily portable) cardboard cutout or a Flat Stanley of yourself! Then, you can feel like you were there with them in Amsterdam!!
5. Photoshop them into your pictures
Were you at a frat party and took a picture with some random people? Or maybe you're at the art museum and felt like taking a picture of your favorite painting. Would your friend have been there? Photoshop them in! My bestie compared our pictures when I was in London - it was like we were really there together!
6. Photoshop yourself into their pictures
If you feel like being at school isn't exciting enough, Photoshop yourself into their pictures! Post them in a new Facebook album titled "[insert friend's name] and I in [insert study abroad location]!" I'm sure your grandma will be plenty confused, but you'll get a ton of likes!
7. Send a weekly newsletter to their email
Maybe you feel like your friend is neglecting you and you haven't been able to talk to them as much as you want to. To fix this, send them a weekly newsletter! Go through exactly what you did each day. From who you interacted with to how many steps it took to get to your class - they'll love it!
8. Try not to cry
It's okay to be upset and you should allow yourself to be upset. But when you start thinking about your friend leaving you alone on a big campus with no one to comfort you in the middle of the student union, that's a problem.
9. Cry
LOL, who are we kidding? This is an upsetting time. I recommend crying yourself to sleep or crying in the shower. Super relaxing.
10. "Wish you were here" texts
Send these at least three times a day. I'm sure they'd appreciate it. Espcially since they have limited data and spotty wifi - they want you to be the one to use it all up!
11. Stare out the window and reminisce
Remember that one time you guys got lunch? Yeah, that was great. Remember that other time you laughed together? Wow. Miss that a lot. Things just aren't the same anymore.
12. Snapchat your daily adventures
If they can Snapchat all of their adventures walking down historic streets and museums, why can't you Snapchat you sitting in class and walking to class? It's basically the same and honestly way more entertaining! They'll be jealous of you instantly.
13. Toast to them before every pregame
Your (ew) other friends won't mind this! Especially if you make sure you do it every single time before you go out! Plus, you can send a video to your friend to make sure they feel like they're with you too!
14. Pretend that you're having a better time than them on Skype
"Oh, so you were on the canals in Venice? That's cool I guess. Today I took a four hour nap and then got the best cappuccino from Starbucks, like ever." If you make it seem like you're having a better time, then you will! I'm sure your friend will be happy for you too.
15. Remember that they'll be home soon and living it up with you once again
Don't worry. Four months... isn't that long, right? But I guess factoring in the three months of summer break if you didn't see them...uh...never mind. But think about that great hug that's going to happen!! That's something to look forward to!!
