How college students keep friendship alive – The Cauldron
Design: Kateryna Kopylchak | The Cauldron
College life can be overwhelming and stressful for everyone. There are some days when you feel alone in this big world. But in the end, after a hard day of schoolwork, there are the people you always come home to.
Sometimes, it’s the family you are born into, and sometimes it’s the family you make for yourself.
“Even a short phone call or a quick coffee break can be meaningful and memorable,” Anastasiia Aleksieieva, a third-year business major at Cleveland State University, shared with The Cauldron.
Between juggling classes and work shifts, Aleksieieva still manages to make time for her friends, finding that these moments of connection provide much-needed relief from the constant demands of the semester.
“For me, to maintain everything in life, it’s important to use a planner,” she said. “That helps me prioritize the most urgent tasks and set weekly goals. I always make sure to focus on deadlines while setting hours for socializing.”
The fall semester can be a whirlwind of activity, from exams and deadlines to campus events, leaving little room for spontaneous meetups with friends. Aleksieieva knows this well and relies on organization to make the most of her time. This careful approach allows her to build a foundation for balancing academics and friendships, even during her busiest weeks.
“The most important thing is I always try to plan activities with friends beforehand,” she explained. “If I have a busy schedule for the day, I find a short amount of time to see or talk to my friends.”
Finding time for these small interactions is vital for many students who find comfort in their friendships during stressful times. For Aleksieieva, it’s not just about catching up with friends, but about having someone to share the highs and lows of college life.
Especially in time for midterms and finals, tests make staying connected even more challenging. Many students, including Aleksieieva, face the struggle of balancing friendships with increased academic responsibilities.
“It’s really hard to stay in touch with my friends and family, especially when midterms come around,” she admitted. “I think it’s really important to let people know what your goals are for this period and communicate that with them.”
Keeping friends in the loop helps manage expectations and strengthens relationships. By being open about her priorities, Aleksieieva finds that her friends are more understanding, and they’re able to support each other through the busiest weeks. It’s a reminder that sometimes all it takes is a bit of honest communication to keep friendships thriving.
Phone calls, video chats and voice messages make it easier for students to maintain friendships despite physical distance. For students like Aleksieieva, these small but meaningful gestures offer a simple way to stay in each other’s lives, even when schedules conflict. The digital connection helps bridge the gap when in-person hangouts aren’t feasible.
“The best ways that work for me are phone calls or FaceTime. Even a short voice message to engage friends in your life can be a nice way to stay connected,” she shared.
For Aleksieieva and many other students, staying close to friends isn’t just about relaxing but about finding a support system to lean on when things get tough. Making time for those who matter most is what keeps them grounded, even as they tackle the busiest weeks of the semester.