One is Silver and the Other Gold

School is almost here. You’ve ordered your textbooks. You’ve contacted your roommate. You’ve packed what seems like your entire life’s possessions into a bunch of cardboard boxes. Now all that there’s left to do is to say farewell to all the friends who won’t be attending college with you in Happy Valley.

It’s ok that this might seem like a daunting task and is why you’ve been putting it off to the last minute. College is a completely new and exciting time, and it can be scary to think that you’ll likely be braving it without your besties right by your side. But if there’s one universal lesson that every college student learns, it’s that balance is key. And that even applies to spending time with old friends from high school and making time to meet new friends in college. 

From orientation activities (like those at WEPO!) and the craziness of move-in day to eating your first Berkey Creamery ice cream cone and waiting in line to get your photo taken with the Nittany Lion, there are so many opportunities to meet new people at Penn State and make new friends. It’s totally normal to miss your old friends from back home, and you should definitely keep in touch with them! But you should also go out and make new memories with new friends. Catch up with high school friends during breaks and take those crazy road trips to visit college friends. 

College is all about balancing. It’s about learning how to budget your time with studying and hanging out, exercising and watching movie marathons, and yes, keeping in touch with old friends, and making time to meet new ones. Like the old adage says, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other gold.”  

Adriana Phillip is a Sophomore in Bioengineering. She will be a WEPO Rover this year and is also involved in Engineering House, SWE and Neuman Club. Contact Adriana at awp5236@psu.edu.