You Ask, We Answer -Sincerely, the Guild Gazette
Q. Dear Guild Gazette, How do you make friends at SGA as a part-time student?
A. Dear Part-Time Student at SGA, making friends can be challenging in and of itself, but I imagine only being a school half the day would be even harder! If you want to make and maintain friendships throughout your year as a part-time student, I would suggest getting involved! Whether that be making a point to get together with some of the people in your grade or even going to CC events when they are announced. And you could be especially intentional about noticing the people you have overlap with, in other aspects of your life and gravitate towards them. Life can get crazy, and I get that, but I think it’s vital to cut time out of your week to spend with others. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to new people!
Q. Dear Guild Gazette, How do you involve yourself in friend groups outside your main one?
A. Dear Friend Group Hopper at SGA depends on what or who per se you’re trying to gravitate and surround yourself with. If you are trying to find more friends, it may be better to stay within your group and invite others to tag along to activities you participate in. For instance, if your friend group is already planning to go to the dances at school, but you are being asked to join another, merge! I think just simply saying, “let’s just all go together,’ is a great way to spend time with everybody. Of course, ask everyone involved if they are comfortable with a merge, but I think that would be a great way to get involved all around. On the other hand, if you are interested in leaving a group entirely to switch to another, I would just be honest and upfront! If you seek people who fill your cup rather than drain it, it’s okay to take a step back from people who may not be an excellent fit for you. As far as inserting yourself into an already formed group, that can be difficult. Make sure where you’re inserting yourself is just the right fit for you. And it’s okay to test different waters for a bit! Just go into it knowing ultimately what you are willing to put in as a friend in a group and what you need out of it. Our school has so much variety; I promise you’ll find a group that fits you even if it takes time!
Q. Dear Guild Gazette, Are there any tips for balancing schoolwork with social life, sports, and other activities?
A. Dear Needs Some Balance at SGA, this can be tricky! Honestly, what it comes down to is what is the best fit for you. Some people (like me;)) need lots of structure, whereas someone else may not need as much structure to find balance. The truth is that because each of us is ever-evolving and growing in our own ways, we will never be able to achieve perfect balance. I would just encourage you to get to know yourself! Whether journaling, dissecting your thoughts daily, or even talking through life with a therapist, there can still be an obtainable balance, even if it’s not perfect. Once you know yourself, you can start to ask yourself what the best means for achieving balance may look like for you!
Q. Dear Guild Gazette, My best friend, has been dating this guy for a year, and ever since then, she has been blowing me off, leaving me out, and pretty much ignoring me unless she needs something. She’s my best friend, and I don’t want to lose our friendship. What should I do?
A. Dear Doesn’t Want to Lose the Friend at SGA, I urge you just to be honest! If you bring it up, it may solve things, it may not, but at least you were willing to address the issue at hand. Toxic friendships can be tough to navigate, but ultimately if she doesn’t see your value, she’s not worth being friends with. If she is continuously staying in contact with you, even if it’s just for things she needs, I would tell her that unless she can be there for you as a friend in all the ways a friend should be, you’re going to cut off contact with her. I think it’s less about trying to navigate her away from the boy and more about making sure she is aware of how she’s treating you because chances are you’re not the only one she’s treating that way. From my own personal experiences, I know how enticing it can be to want to maintain a friendship on the other person’s terms, but no one deserves to be hurt in that way. You deserve someone who can simultaneously be a girlfriend to a boy and a great friend to you.
Q. Dear Guild Gazette, as a junior, I was planning to begin researching colleges and universities this fall. Any ideas?
A. Dear Future College Attendee at SGA, great question! This is vital in preparing to apply for colleges in the summer of junior year. And the fact that you’re already interested in looking is a sign that you’re willing to do the work so that you can be prepared early on! As far as deciding what college to attend, consider the following:
Budget: Do you started saving? If so, how much money do you have? Will you have to use student loans for your college expenses? Are you hoping to attend college solely on a scholarship?
Location: How far do you want to live away from home? Are you willing to continue to live with your parents until you get on your feet? Is your goal in-state or out of state?
Majors: What do you want to major in? Does the college that appeals to you offer the major you want to study?
Potential Careers: What do you want to do with the rest of your life? Are there lots of job opportunities for your major? How much money do you want to make based on your job? Are you willing to sacrifice love for a career, or vice versa?
I know these can be challenging questions to ask yourself. As someone recently accepted to the University of Georgia this past summer, I can say the college(s) you get into may not be your first choice. But ultimately, remember, it’s all God’s plan for your life, and if you are determined enough to achieve your goals, you will! I know how stressful thinking about and applying can be, especially if you don’t see what you want to do, but I want to encourage you! You are not alone in this. Over 20 million high school graduates get accepted into different colleges within the country every year. I’m sure almost all of them have had to deal with the application process and the anxiety of not knowing whether or not they’d be accepted. You got this! There are so many people cheering for you!
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