There’s no doubt that when you go to college, you will be meeting people from different places, lifestyles, backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives. Here are some of the types of friends you will definitely encounter at some point in your college career:
1. The Life of the Party
Outgoing and amicable, this friend is ALWAYS down for a good time no matter where you are or what you are doing. Their energy is contagious, so sometimes you find yourself doing things you wouldn’t normally do (like jumping on a slip-n-slide at 3AM in the dead of winter).
2. The Overachiever
Likely the president of all sorts of clubs and organizations (and possibly involved in student government), this friend knows what they want and they’re skilled at achieving their goals. Typically characterized as someone organized, driven, and confident, this person will always pencil in time to hang out, even if it’s to help you study (with laminated flashcards, of course).
3. The Entrepreneur
This is the friend with all the bright ideas, always trying to come up with the NEXT BEST THING. If they aren’t already, this person will definitely run their own business one day if not for their creativity, but for their perseverance. They are unafraid of putting themselves out there, and you admire them for their open-mindedness.
4. The Mom/Dad
Full of compassion, this friend has the giving nature of a mother marsupial frog (you know, the ones that carry their babies on their back?) This person is always there for you: cheering you up when you miss your family and reminding you to get your flu shot at the health center. On nights out, this friend keeps the group together, makes sure everyone has their shoes on, and keeps you out of trouble. The mom/dad is the real MVP.
5. The Grandma/Grandpa
When you go visit this friend in their dorm room, they always offer food and/or a blanket for getting cozy. Once you’re all settled in, you can talk to this person about anything. You know they always give the best advice because of their ridiculously wise disposition. Sweet and somewhat introverted, this friend would rather stay in on a Friday night with a cup of tea and a good book or movie. This person also may or may not be great with crafts (knitting, candlemaking, or scrapbooking).
6. The Work Friend
There is a certain level of companionship born when working long hours with another fellow employee. Once that intimacy is established, everything is so much more bearable when you and your work buddy are on the same shift.
7. The Gym Addict
Always sporting their athletic sneakers, this friend spends all their free time at the gym. You admire them for their motivation and dedication, but you also kind of hate them. (I mean, seriously?? Who has the kind of discipline to go to the gym TWICE a day?) Whenever you hang out with them, you hope their active lifestyle will magically rub off on you.
8. The Social Media Guru
Connecting with this individual was like befriending a celebrity. They have thousands of followers, get more than 50 likes on their photos, and might be sponsored by some obscure Australian skincare brand. Considering social media is their expertise, they likely work as a public relations intern at some company or other. You are grateful to have this person around because they keep you #young and #relevant. (Plus, who else is going to tell you what SMH stands for?)
9. The Study Buddy
You likely share your major with this person, and that’s why you guys have so many classes together. This friend is super loyal, always saving you a spot in class. If there’s ever a group project, you always share a knowing glance officially sealing your partnership. Stressing over finals bonds the two of you together, and there’s no one else you’d rather spend endless hours at the library with.
10. The Slacker Prodigy
You have never seen this friend open a book or log into their Sakai account. And yet, somehow they’ve made the Dean’s list every single semester and always have their work done. You are completely perplexed by their calm, relaxed persona and their ability to just hang out WHENEVER.
11. The Student Who Cries Fail
This friend will call you up in complete despair to tell you all about how they failed their last exam despite the hours they put in studying. The catch? They NEVER fail. EVER. They always end up receiving A’s in all their classes. The student who cries fail remains a mystery to us all.
12. The Genuine Academic
We’ve all met that one person that loves school simply because they love learning. They read in their spare time because they are naturally curious and fascinated with the world around them. They measure their success in class not by the letter grades they receive, but with the knowledge they gain. This person always has random facts to share, can hold a conversation in various topics, and willingly explains things that you may not understand.
13. The Greek
Social, involved, and carefree, the Greek is the one with all the connections. When you walk with them around campus, you are constantly meeting new smiling faces wearing colorful t-shirts bearing different Greek letters. Their schedule is always filled with fundraisers, formals, and mixers galore. If you don’t hear from them for a few weeks, it’s likely because they have disappeared to a their respective houses for recruitment.
14. The Philosopher
This friend is well-versed in all things mind-bending (including topics such as literature, art, and religion). Perceptive and contemplative, you can always count on this person to make you think about the world from a different perspective. Conversations with this person may feel taxing sometimes, but they are always incredibly helpful if you are having an existential crisis.
15. The Student Athlete
Maybe this friend is playing for your school’s D1 team, or they’re simply involved in the club sports on campus. Either way, you see a lot more of them when it’s in the off-season. You appreciate their commitment to the team, protein shakes, and jogger sweatpants.
16. The Theatre Kid
Whether their talent may be singing, acting, dancing, or all of the above, you are their biggest fan. You attend all their shows, not just to support them, but because the tickets are cheap with your student discount and they sell popcorn at the concession stand. You are always badgering this person to share their abilities in very public settings (most often karaoke night).
17. The Business Major
You always see this friend strutting from one career fair to another carrying a crisp folder containing freshly printed resumes. They are always talking about interest rates and bond prices even though you don’t really know what those terms mean. Lucky for you, they are the quintessential experts on interviewing via Skype and dressing business casual.
18. The Lovebirds
You’re not sure exactly when they met (either high school or freshman year of college), but this couple has been attached for as long as you’ve known them. You’ll probably attend their wedding after graduation, and they are just so darn cute, you’re not even bitter about it. They are always letting you third wheel their lunch dates, and the best part is that you don’t even really feel like you’re third wheeling. Sigh. It’s nice to know that true love exists!
19. The Alternative Hipster
You can describe this friend easily in one word: cool. They sport clothing from sustainable thrift shops, listen to music on their record player, and take up unique hobbies like beekeeping or rock climbing. Your level of coolness increases exponentially simply by the association.
20. The RA
This friend is always trying to get people on your floor to attend dorm meetings (usually by bribing you with free pizza). Though they sometimes reluctantly get people into trouble, you know that they are just doing their job. And if there ever actually WAS a problem, you are grateful to have someone around that’s responsible, dependable, and reassuring.
21. The Comedian
This friend is probably involved in one of the improv or stand up groups on campus, and if not, they are constantly being told they SHOULD join. You love being friends with this person because they just breathe laughter, happiness, and everything that feels good in life. When they walk into a room, your world automatically turns a little bit brighter.
22. The Art Major
They disappear for a few hours everyday because they are busy working on their masterpiece in the art building. You are always awestruck by their talent and passion for creation. One time, they doodled on a napkin during one of your coffee dates and you still have it pinned to your wall/stowed in your wallet because it may as well be hanging in the Louvre.
23. The Long Lost Twin
As soon as you met this person, you vibed so well that you swore everything your parents ever said to you was a lie. (Clearly, you two were separated at birth). You are always on the same page, have similar views and values, and may have some sort of telepathy thing going on. You can’t imagine life without this person because they’re basically your other half. Even if you guys don’t hang out all the time, you know that when you do, you will always pick up right where you left off.
24. The Bestie
You may not have found each other straight away when you were freshmen, but it doesn’t matter because you have each other now. The time you spend together is like a slice of sunshine filled with the kind of laughter that makes your stomach hurt and the type of camaraderie that makes you happy to be alive. You know that this is the kind of true and genuine friendship that lasts a lifetime.