On Making Friends...

Haha I love this movie. via here

With new beginnings comes the fact that I don't know anyone here. My friend slate is wiped clean (and no that doesn't mean that I've completely forgotten/forsaken anyone). The process has started all over again and boy is it nerve wrecking.

Making new friends in the public health department is kind of like speed dating. There's this standard list of questions you ask when you first meet someone: where are you from, which department are you in, where'd you go to school, are you a recent grad. Pretty basic and standard, but with those questions you're really only skimming the surface. Forming bonds takes time, I realize this, but I also feel some sort of pressure (mostly on my part) to make friends quickly.

You see, I've realized something. Much like there's a critical imprinting period for baby ducklings (wow psych has taught me something after all), I also feel like there's a critical time period for making friends. I learned this the hard way back when I was a first year (freshman). In part because of my long distance relationship, I sorta isolated myself more and definitely didn't have the fun that I could have had. Sure I made some friends, but I also saw that there were groups of people on my hall that were closer with each other than I was, and once that happens it's really hard to integrate yourself into something like that.

Konrad Lorenz followed by the ducklings that imprinted on him. I've actually always wanted to do this. 

I really don't want to miss out on this crucial friend making time, but I also don't want to force myself onto people. You can't make someone be friends with you, just like you can't make someone like you romantically (trust me, I've tried). Chemistry between anyone is something that takes a little time to figure out and develop. I'm also just not the type of person that has to go out and do everything all at once; I'm more of a dip my toes into the water before I jump in type. So I've allowed myself to get settled and to relax before the craziness that is orientation starts, but I've also made sure to go out and be social when the opportunity arises. Hopefully this works!