Half the fun of college is making new friends and freshman year there's plenty of that. You form some close, lifelong bonds. A lot of these friendships will be made within your own freshman class, but sometimes they're also formed with upperclassmen. This is a blessing and a curse in so many ways.
PRO: You have a guide to show you the ropes, help you out with classes, and tell you what not to do.
Whether it be how to fit your entire wardrobe in one space, a difficult class they've already been through, or how to navigate campus, upperclassmen know all the ins and outs of college life and they'll be there when you're in need.
PRO: They know all the cool hangouts and places to be.
The best restaurants in town, the best spots to party, the best coffee shops, they've been there, done that. They can point you in all the right directions.
PRO: They're there to back you up when you need it.
A fight with a significant other or best friend? Rumors going around? They've probably been through it and know exactly how to handle the situation. They've learned from their mistakes and can help you so you don't make the same. They're there and ready to have your back when things go down and let's be real, upperclassman backup is always reassuring.
PRO: They've been in school longer than you, therefore they're better at it.
They know which classes require extra studying, how to take the best notes, what certain professors prefer, and what classes are just flat out hard. They can give you all the important heads ups that you'll need.
CON: They graduate before you, leaving you there without them.
Your upperclassmen friends eventually have to move on, college isn't forever. They'll graduate before you and leave you feeling empty without them there in their place.
Okay, so there's really only one con for having upperclassmen friends. Goodbyes are difficult. Eventually, your older friends will have to move on... college isn't forever. They'll have to graduate, get a job and move away from you and the memories you've made together. Moving on without them is hard. As time passes, you become the upperclassman for someone else to become friends with. You'll show them the ropes the same way your friends did for you, take them to all the best restaurants in town to introduce them to the tastiest treats, and be a shoulder to lean on when they've broken down. One day you'll leave too and you'll have prepared them to take your place. And maybe you'll leave a mark in their life the way your upperclassmen friends did for you.
