Why You Should Prioritize Friendships Over Coursework in College

Don’t make the same mistakes I did.

Photo by Duy Pham on Unsplash

I attended four schools in undergrad for various reasons, including a move across the country. My third school was a large state school near my hometown. I moved into an apartment that was technically not part of campus housing, but it was all students, and I have regrets.

My biggest regret is that while I did well academically, I was a social caterpillar. I was in a cacoon. I remember one time my roommates invited me out to dinner with them and I’d already eaten. I said, “no thanks.” They stopped inviting me out after that.

Ouch.

By the time I made it to my fourth and final school (well, as far as undergrad goes anyway), I’d learned my lesson. I moved on campus and the first weekend, before classes started, I sought out opportunities to get involved.

I saw a flyer posted on my dorm building:

Open Mic Night. Thursday evening. 6 o’clock. Student Center. All are welcome.

I jumped at the chance to not only attend the open mic event but to bring along some poetry I’d written for a creative writing course I’d had a few semesters earlier. It was the first open mic night I’d ever…