Dear Darcy,

My best friend and I have been friends for ten years and we’ve hardly ever fought. But all of the sudden we’ve been bickering a lot over the stupidest things. It’s getting to the point where I don’t even want to be around her. How do I save this friendship? 

Thanks,

Best Friend Blues

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Dear Best Friend Blues,

If you haven’t told your friend how this bickering is making you feel, I think that should be your first step. Maybe it’s bothering her just as much, and there may be a way to work it out. 

It’s such an accomplishment to have a long-term friend like that, but you need to remember that people change. People are always changing. Something I’ve had to learn to accept is that people change, the memories don’t. You shouldn’t expect your friend to be the same person they were in middle school or high school. I would bet that these new issues coming up have to do with the changes happening in your lives right now. If that’s the case, the best thing to do is just to wait it out. If you are truly best friends, you won’t have to be around them all the time to stay close with them. If it gets worse, you can always just tell them you need some space.  

These conflicts are absolutely normal in any kind of relationship. You are not alone! Talk it out with your friend, and if that doesn’t work, let them know you need some time to cleanse your palette. 

Wishing you the best,

D

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Dear Darcy,

All of my friends have gone away to college, and I’m stuck here at AACC. I want to stay in touch with my friends but they are creating new lives and making new friends. Community college is hard because everyone here just wants to go home. No one is really trying to make friends. So… what do I do?

S

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Dear S,

When you find the answer to this question, let me know! I think this is something a lot of people here are struggling with, whether they can admit it or not. It is really hard watching your friends go off to do bigger things while you’re still at home going to community college. But community college can be an amazing asset down the line. You are saving money, figuring out what you want to do, and probably staying out of debt! 

Personally, I’ve struggled a lot with the loss of that four-year college social life. I’m in a very similar position in that almost all of my friends are no longer in Maryland. I’ve had to build up some acquaintances at AACC, and here’s how you can too: Get. Involved. If you’re in a particular program, you’ll likely see some of the same faces from semester to semester. Seek these people out and build conversation. Find out what clubs and organizations are on campus. There is something for everyone here. If you’ve got an interest, AACC probably has an outlet for it, and if not, create your own! Astronomy, history, engineering, gaming, dance, music, writing, and more! Unfortunately, effort is required to find those people that share your interests, but you might be surprised what opportunities can arise when you get involved. 

Don’t underestimate the benefits of attending community college. It allowed me to figure out what I wanted to do without breaking the bank, and now I feel like I’m so far ahead of my peers still in a four-year setting. The classes here just as academically challenging as they are elsewhere. AACC is a rigorous and diverse place to be, so make the most of your time here! 

Good luck,

D

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Need advice? Submit your questions anonymously to Darcy at ask.fm/campuscurrentadvice.