is making friends at community college hopeless?
Recently the media has been emphasizing loneliness rates among the new wave of adults: generation z. Im not going to harp on the facts; that social media is the cause, has killed our social skills, and done irreversible damage. However, keep it in context as you read.
Many migrate to community college because it serves a cheaper alternative than a four-year. Meaning they likely return home after their lectures to scroll through instagram and watch everyone else’s world keep turning. Community college has that pitstop effect, feeling like a fork in road rather than the peak of your twenties
On campus you might notice students don’t talk during lecture, rarely smile in the hallway, gather their things directly after class and make a b-line towards the parking lot.
This isn’t unique to community—a heaviness sits on our entire generation, blockading our trajectory to each other. All hope is not lost, especially for you who is (hopefully) willing to probe at others until they come out of their shell.
Because it is what everyone is silently anticipating: for their environment to open up, for others to burst through the social barrier and make the first move.
Community college is unique because everyone is from a similar background. Not talking financial or cultural but, as previously stated, we are all watching everyone else evolve. We are losing proximity to our old friendships, therefore build off of this common ground.
But be uplifting, show positivity, act as an illuminant in this dark and weary era, where others stand at a distance, and life feels plateaued. I believe if you can provide that for someone then you may be with them for the long-run.
Be mindful that life is shaped by consequence of your actions. Even in university you will choke on regret if you don’t swallow your discomfort to pursue human connection.
