One snowy Sunday evening, my roommates and I went out to dinner because, despite living together, we barely crossed paths that weekend. 

Our friendship began during our first-year Orientation. I connected with one of my roommates over our shared love for a certain pair of canvas shoes. Soon after, the other two joined, completing our little friend group. 

That night at The Daily Planet, we debriefed our weekend, giggled and shared memories. It made me reflect on the nature of our friendship, the chance moments that led to its formation and how, in less than three years, they were some of my closest friends. 

College represents a time when people from different backgrounds are concentrated in a forced community. Friendships are built and maintained because we exist in such a close space. It is this period of rapid self-growth and identity development that ends before you’re ready for your life to change again. 

We decided to live together off campus, knowing the nature of our friendship could shift. My roommates and I are all nursing majors, so we would be seeing a lot of each other inside and outside of classes. 

As nursing majors, last fall was truly the most grueling academic semester of our lives. So, linked in living and learning together, we braved the craziness of the pharmacology-pathophysiology combination. 

Last semester tested our tolerance of one another, as we were cohabiting — all acclimating to each other’s quirks and how we coped with the pressure of exam weeks. We certainly felt the importance of time apart.   

I remember the mornings when I had a hangover from the hours spent studying pharmacology — beta blockers and diuretics swirling in my brain — only to find my roommates with the same tired eyes and tense posture.  

This is when we’d laugh, fighting tears as we shared the misery of that brutal semester. In this way, our friendship has weathered to be soft, dependable and honest. 

Circling back to my first column, my friendships at UVM truly encapsulate the “Red Thread of Fate” theory. 

Each friendship sparked from a quick crossing of our strings. These friendships continue to evolve through moments and conversations that draw us closer. They are sealed with shared experiences that I will never forget.    

Being concentrated in Burlington allows for frequent and convenient interaction.  

I fear the day when proximity will not be a constant pillar of my friendships. As it relates to my roommates, I dread when we will be a phone call away instead of just a holler down the stairs. 

I wonder about how I will find community if I’m not surrounded by an abundance of my peers, the university setting making us so open to connection.  

After that night at The Daily Planet, I was reminded of the way I miss my roommates after just a week apart. I lovingly recalled the exclamations and hugs we shared once we were reunited.  

I laughed, remembering that without fail, a sheepish comment could crack the struggle of a stressful week, causing us to cackle at our solemn demeanor. These are friends for life. 

That night, I was hit with the reality that though I’ve only known my roommates for two and a half years, I couldn’t imagine experiencing life without them. We’ve seen each other grow from scared teenagers into resilient and confident women. 

In just over a year, we will leave UVM and enter the “real world” as “real adults.” Though I look forward to the prospect of figuring out the next block of life in my 20s, I want these friendships to shelter me from the storm of yet another transition. 

I’m the first to admit that I am not prepared for this change; my stomach flips at the thought. I’m not ready to plan or problem-solve yet — the distressful anticipation looms in my head and tightens my muscles. 

I hope that though proximity and the culture of college eventually expire, these friendships won’t. With a foundation strong enough to exist for a lifetime, college friendships will persist beyond this current setting.  

This openness to connect, to stumble upon community, is something I will do my best to transfer into the next block of my life.   

At this moment, I’ll enjoy the time I have left at UVM. So much can happen in a year.

With love, Olivia.