Like most things in life, one size doesn’t fit all after finishing school or university.
At these punctuations in your academic journey, everyone around you will be making choices about how they go forward and their next steps. It can seem like everything is changing, and that everyone has their idea of what to do next. Maybe you do or maybe you don’t, but one thing is for sure you will experience change on some level.
It’s true there are many different routes people can take and each one is personal to that individual. Here we’ll concentrate on the different areas where we can feel the change in our friendships from school or university.
Distance and change of location: moving away for university or jobs can create a physical distance between friends. It can lead to less frequent communication and what might feel like a gradual drifting.
New Social Circles: it’s only natural in new environments that you meet new people and form new friendships. Sometimes, these new friendships will take precedence over existing ones, which in turn can lead to changes in dynamics with old friends.
Academic pressures and new job roles: the demands of higher education or new careers can strain friendships. Balancing coursework, exams, new working patterns, training and a social life can be challenging, affecting the time and energy available for maintaining all friendships.
Life transitions: leaving school or university marks a significant life transition. Some people may start to prioritise personal growth, career goals and individual experiences. Focussing on developing these areas may take time away from being available to maintain existing relationships.
Remember that change is natural, and friendships evolve over time. By planning when and how you socialise and contact friends, either virtually or in person, you can stay connected even in new circumstances. Making the effort and two-way communication are essential to maintaining meaningful connections!
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