You know their name. You know their major. You know where they usually sit in the cafeteria, what club they are involved in, or which professor they complain about after class. You have probably had at least one conversation that lasted long enough to make you think, I actually really like this person. You are not friends, exactly. But you are not strangers either.

College is full of people who occupy this strange middle ground. They are the people you recognize across campus, wave to when you pass them, talk to after class, and exchange the familiar phrase “ let’s hang out sometime.” You might follow each other on Instagram and know just enough about each other’s lives to feel familiar, but somehow never actually spend time together outside of the place where you met.

These are the people you keep almost becoming friends with.

Somewhere Between Stranger and Friend

College is an especially unique environment for creating these almost-friendships because our lives are divided into various spaces. You have your classes, your dorm, your job, your sport, your student organizations and the people you happen to sit next to at lunch. You can know someone well in one of those settings without ever getting to know them anywhere else.

This someone might be the person you always talk to before class, but once the professor dismisses everyone, you go your separate ways. You might spend three hours together at an organization meeting every week but never think to invite each other to the cafeteria. You might have a surprisingly deep conversation with someone at an event and then not see them again for a month.

None of these interactions are necessarily meaningless, in fact, some of them can make a large campus feel considerably smaller. There is something comforting about recognizing people. You start to notice familiar faces on your way to class; you know who will probably be sitting in the same spot at the next meeting. You begin to develop a collection of people you are happy to see, even if you would never describe them as close friends. Maybe that is one of the more underrated parts of college, not everyone you meet has to become a significant person in your life for the interaction to matter.

The “We Should Hang Out” Promise

Naturally, this is where the phrase “we should hang out sometime” gets thrown around. It is one of the most commonly used sentences in college, and it can mean almost anything. Sometimes it is genuine. Sometimes it is a polite way to end a conversation. Sometimes both people genuinely want to spend more time together but never figure out when. And sometimes, six months later, you run into that same person and realize you have said the exact same thing to each other at least three times. The funny thing is that neither person is necessarily lying. College students are busy. Between classes, homework, work, athletics, organizations and whatever else fills the calendar, finding time to turn a casual friendship into an actual friendship can be surprisingly difficult. There is also something slightly vulnerable about being the person who follows up.

It is easy to say, “We should hang out.”

It is harder to send the text: “Are you free Thursday?”

The second question creates the possibility of an actual answer. Maybe they are busy. Maybe they say no. Maybe they already have plans with someone else. Or maybe they say yes and the friendship actually moves beyond the hallway conversation. Sometimes the only thing standing between an acquaintance and a friend is someone being willing to make the first move, but that does not mean every almost-friendship needs to make that transition.

Maybe Almost-Friends Are Not a Bad Thing

There is a tendency to think of relationships as something that should constantly be moving forward. You meet someone, become friends, become close friends, and eventually add them to the group of people you cannot imagine college without. But real relationships do not always work that way. Some people will become your closest friends, others will remain the person you always enjoy talking to after class. Some will disappear from your life after a semester, some will come back to it years later. A person you barely knew freshman year might become a close friend later, while someone you spent every weekend with might eventually become little more than a familiar face.

There is no universal trajectory.

That can be especially easy to forget when social media makes friendship look so definitive. We see the group photos, birthday posts, weekend trips, and inside jokes, but rarely the dozens of casual relationships surrounding them. We see those who appear to be close without seeing how long it took to develop those friendships. The result is a strange pressure to categorize our own relationships. Are we friends? Are we actually close? Why wasn’t I invited? Should I be talking to them more? Sometimes the answer can simply be: We know each other. And that is enough.

Let People Surprise You

The best part about these almost-friendships is that they are not necessarily permanent. The person you only know from one class could end up becoming a close friend. The person you met during orientation might become someone you barely speak to by senior year. Someone you never expected to connect with might eventually become one of the most important people in your college experience.

That uncertainty is part of the fun.

College is one of the few times in life when you are constantly being introduced to new people, and there is no way to know which conversations will matter months or years from now. That does not mean every interaction needs to be carefully cultivated. It simply means there is value in being open to them.

So maybe the next time you tell someone, “We should hang out sometime,” you can actually make the plan. Or maybe you will see them next week, smile, ask how their class went, and continue on your way. Either way, you do not have to decide immediately what that person is going to mean to you. Some people become friends. Some remain acquaintances. Some become familiar faces who make campus feel a little more like home. And sometimes, the person you keep almost becoming friends with is exactly that: someone you have not become friends with yet. There is plenty of time for that to change.

Is there such a thing as the Grinch but for Valentine’s Day? I think I can speak for lots of singles who are tired of the constant barrage of Valentine’s Day marketing and the general pressure of finding the “right” plans. Even if you’re perfectly content in your single status, Valentine’s Day can trigger complex feelings and be a reminder of societal expectations. Almost 50% of adults in America are single, so you are not alone. If you’re in this boat, this guide is for you! Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be stressful or a day that you have to miss out on. Here are some ways to celebrate this year:

1. Galentine’s celebration

Galentine’s Day is a celebration of friendship that can take place on Valentine’s Day or any time of the year! There are so many fun ideas for hosting a Galentine’s party, such as getting crafty with DIY projects, eating themed snacks like heart-shaped pizzas, or hosting a romcom movie night. Galentine’s Day is all about celebrating platonic love and the people that are important in your life, which is a unique kind of love that fulfills many needs that romantic love cannot.

2. Self-care night

If you’re going solo on Valentine’s Day, you might as well make a night of it! Get your favorite takeout, turn on a movie of your choice and indulge in a sweet treat of your choice. If you’re of age, maybe have a glass of wine — or two. Put on a face mask and enjoy your own company. There’s no shame in having a night in for yourself and prioritizing your self-care. On a more serious note, it’s important to take care of your mental health when practicing self-care. If you are working through difficult emotions, there are campus resources that can help you work through your experiences.

3. Treat yourself 

Going hand-in-hand with the theme of self-care, treat yourself to something that you would want a hypothetical partner to do for you. If you love flowers, go buy yourself flowers! Or you could even take yourself out to a nice dinner at your favorite restaurant. Maybe you want to see the new romcom movie, “Anyone But You,” but haven’t had the time. Valentine’s Day could be the perfect opportunity. It might sound a bit silly, but treating yourself is an act of self-love and doesn’t require another person.

4. Hit the town

On the other hand, if you’d rather spend Valentine’s Day out and not at home, that’s perfectly understandable. Go to a fun dinner, event, or bar with your single friends to make a night of it. Maybe you’ll find your Valentine after all if that’s what you are looking for, or you could play matchmaker for your friends. 

5. Hit the gym or take a fitness class

If you’re like me, sometimes having a good sweat session can be therapeutic. If Valentine’s Day has got you in the dumps, hit the gym and have a good workout to distract yourself. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to try pilates or kickboxing. This could be an opportunity to try a new challenge. Getting in a good workout will raise your endorphins and make your day better knowing you are working on becoming a better version of yourself. 

6. Spend time with family

If your family members or loved ones are welcoming to the idea, you could crash their Valentine’s Day plans. Maybe go out to brunch or lunch with your family to surround yourself with your people to celebrate this day that’s devoted to love. Spending time with family or loved ones can be a good reminder that you have people in your life who love you unconditionally, regardless of what period of life you’re in.

7. Do something kind for someone else

Gratitude and good deeds definitely lift spirits. They can help remove us from negative thought patterns and remind us of the most important things in our lives. Even showing a small act of kindness to a friend or acquaintance who may be going through a hard time can help brighten both of your days. If you’re interested, you could spend Valentine’s Day volunteering and giving back to your community.

Regardless of how you decide to spend Valentine’s Day, have fun with it and do something that will bring you joy. There’s no reason to forgo celebrations if you don’t have a partner.  Own it and celebrate in your own way!

Thanksgiving is one of the most underrated holidays. It is sometimes lost in the mix between Halloween and Christmas. Many people skip straight from Halloween to listening to Christmas music and decorating their trees Nov. 1 and miss the best part of the fall season. 

For me, Thanksgiving is a great time to spend with family and celebrate the things we are thankful for in our lives that can be overlooked during other overly-commercialized holidays. In these difficult times of political and social unrest amidst a pandemic I think it is important to take a breath and remember the things in our lives that we are thankful for.

Some of the typical Thanksgiving traditions may be a little different this year due to COVID-19, but there are still things that everyone can enjoy during this holiday season while staying safe.

In my household, we have a tradition of watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the National Dog Show and football throughout the day. Due to the pandemic, it has been announced that the parade will be held in an altered recorded form but will still be aired on television during its normal time. The National Dog Show, as well as college and professional football games, are also still scheduled to air on Thanksgiving Day with slight alterations to account for social distancing guidelines.

While traditions like watching football on Thanksgiving are still possible to experience, some of the most important aspects of the holiday may not be possible for many during the pandemic.

Every year, my family hosts a big Thanksgiving meal at our house. We spend all day cooking, watching football and spending time with our extended family that we don’t get to see very often. This year, due to COVID-19, our big family meal is going to be held on a smaller scale with just my parents and my sister.

We might not have the complete Thanksgiving spread of food this year, but my dad still plans on roasting a turkey, and I will definitely be making a pumpkin pie. Even though I won’t get to see all of my cousins, I am still grateful to be able to spend this time with my parents and sister who I don’t get to see as often now that I am in college.

Black Friday is another one of those over-commercialized holiday events that can sometimes distract from Thanksgiving. It seems like the sales start earlier and earlier every year, so now they begin on Thanksgiving evening or even a few days before.

My family sometimes goes shopping on Black Friday, but we are not the people who get up at 5 a.m. to wait in line for stores to open. Black Friday is when I fully begin to embrace the Christmas spirit, but only after I have fully appreciated fall and Thanksgiving.

Even though the holiday season will not look quite the same this year, I am thankful for so many things in my life. Celebrating these things is what Thanksgiving is really about. I am thankful for my health, my supportive family, my amazing friends, the beautiful fall weather, good coffee and so much more. 

Social media has created a culture of frenzy around new media being released, and some TV shows get a lot of social media hype. Because of that hype, many people end up looking forward to shows before they have even seen them. For shows that have already been or are currently being released, the hype has a possibility to create disappointment if a show does not live up to its online persona. This social media culture fosters the idea of overrated TV shows. Some concerns of overrated-ness are valid while other shows deserve their respective audience of dedicated social media posters. Below is a list of four shows commonly considered to be overrated, but should they be?

“Game of Thrones”

After its premiere in 2011, “Game of Thrones” was the constant talk of the internet. Each new episode drew in millions of viewers, with Twitter following along with trending hashtags.

But besides being in the loop about one of the most-talked about TV shows, is “Game of Thrones” worth watching? I think so. 

The beginning seasons are arguably superior with their twisting storylines, loved and hated characters and brilliant acting. However, by the time you get to the later, lower quality seasons, you are already so enthralled that the declining quality is easy to overlook. It truly is a good show – its storyline is one that will most likely go unrivaled for a long time coming.  Even if you only watch it because of the hype, there will be something in it for you – plus the in-depth analysis conversations with your friends are always fun.

“Friends”

With a run time of 10 years, “Friends” gained fans during and after its airing. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t watched at least one episode of the show or at least knows one of the famous taglines.

While its following continues to grow and its old fans still hold strong, is “Friends” really worth watching, over 15 years after its finale? I would say it depends on what you are looking for. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed all of “Friends” during one of my summer binges, but for those who want their entertainment to be something intricate, this show isn’t the one. 

That being said, it is a perfect show for those who want a little bit of mindless humor that they are able to just sit and absorb, something we all need from time to time. Not to mention that, after watching “Friends,” you will finally understand all of the T-shirt references. 

“Stranger Things”

“Stranger Things,” a smash hit Netflix show after its 2016 debut, is one that garnered a substantial amount of hype for its first and sequential seasons. This show is one that is trying to prove Netflix’s ability to maintain a good TV show, which has proven successful. 

Even when separated from the positive social culture surrounding the show, it is still more than worth watching. With wonderful actors, many of them young and up-and-coming, along with a unique storyline and a blast from the past, “Stranger Things” is charming in its own right. 

For fans of the supernatural, it seems almost a no-brainer that this show is one that would be most enjoyable. For those a little skeptical of science fiction, it’s a good entry point with its quirky humor and simply stunning cinematography. “Stranger Things” is really a show that feels enjoyable to most everyone and with its fourth season in the works, now is a perfect time to catch up before it inevitably takes over the Twitter trends during its release. 

“The Walking Dead”

As TV’s biggest zombie show, “The Walking Dead” has been going strong for 10 years. Although it feels as if the hype surrounding the show has somewhat died down, many are still following the adventures of the ensemble crew. 

Personally, I think this show started out extremely strong but has failed to withstand against time and growing pressure for each season to be better than the last. The first seasons are excellent as the base of the story is one that everyone has considered at least once: a zombie apocalypse. The characters in the beginning of the show are wonderful and their relationships are fun to follow through the seasons.

That being said, I believe what has the ability to hook many viewers, including myself, is the introduction of new characters, especially those villainous in nature. Due to its copious amount of episodes, I would only recommend this show with a warning that some seasons fall flat. Overall it is an enjoyable show, especially if you enjoy dystopian stories.