#SoloSemuaTeman: How Friends Are Important for College Student

Source: mettanews.id

Solo, famous for its hashtag #SoloSemuaTeman (everyone in Solo is a friend), is particularly memorable for college students. Solo has a unique charm that makes it easy to make friends. Here, building friendships goes beyond simply exchanging phone numbers or following each other on social media, it’s about creating warm and trusting bonds that feel more than just friends, like a second family. The warmth of Solo’s people and its strong sense of community make everyone feel welcomed and connected.  

Living as a college student isn’t easy. Academic demands, exam stress, adapting to a new environment, and homesickness can all be heavy burdens. In such situations, having a trusted friend becomes crucial. Friends are not just people who accompany you during study breaks or lunch, but can also be a real support system, providing encouragement when you’re feeling tired, and a safe space to share your thoughts without fear of judgment.

Friends not only help us survive, but also make our youth worth remembering.

More than that, friends also play a significant role in building a network of relationships that can be useful for the future. Often, relationships formed during college become the starting point for a broader career. One way to build good relationships is through joining organizations.

By participating in organizations, students not only contribute to campus activities but also expand their network of relationships and create opportunities to get to know more people. Relationships formed through organizations often evolve into close friendships, and in a city like Solo, these bonds tend to grow faster because its residents are accustomed to living in a close-knit community. It’s no wonder many students feel they have a ‘second home’ when they become actively involved in group activities.

In the digital age, building relationships may seem easier through social media. However, face-to-face interactions still hold irreplaceable value. Being too comfortable as a ‘kupu-kupu’ student (kuliah pulang-kuliah pulang) often leads to missing out on valuable opportunities to build real connections. Don’t get too comfortable being alone, as humans, we also need friends. 

Therefore, don’t hesitate to start a conversation, join an organization or community, or simply greet your classmates first. Let this city connect you with people who will change the way you experience college life. Because in Solo, #SoloSemuaTeman, and perhaps, that is the best thing you can get during your time as a student.

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Writer: Nurhabibah Khoirotunnisa / Medicine’24

Editor: Naira Afza Salsabilla / Nutrition science’23