Student life is a time for making new friends — and a time when it's hard to keep the old ones. “Friendship is a living organism too — it has to be nurtured,” psychologists say. Let's learn how to do that!
The problems:
— The “no time” excuse: between classes, work and projects, many complain there's no time left to talk to friends.
— Growing apart: living in different cities or studying in different places weakens ties.
— Difficulty making new friends: not feeling comfortable in large groups is a common problem.
Advice (with real-life examples):
— Small actions, big effect: every Sunday Abror texts three friends “How are you? Thinking of you” — it takes five minutes but keeps the connection alive. Sending short, meaningful messages by Telegram or SMS is recommended.
— Plan time together: Charos and her friends hold an online movie night on the last Thursday of every month, and it has become their tradition; it helps to schedule get-togethers with friends, even a 30-minute online chat.
— Be natural about making new friends: Gozal knew no one at university at first, so she started a “study group” and made five close friends within two months; joining clubs that match your interests (sport, books, projects) is recommended — many people are looking for new friends too, so take the first step.
— Recognise healthy friendship: Umida's ten-year friendship stays strong even though she doesn't see her friend every day, because they prioritise “quality time”; five trusted friends are better than fifty acquaintances, and a connection that is always one-sided isn't friendship.
— Resolve conflicts wisely: after Aziz and his friend forgot a planned meeting and didn't speak for a week, they wrote to each other “Sorry, I was busy” and made up; instead of “You didn't call me”, it's better to write “How are you — the important thing is that you're well”.
Conclusion: friendship is an investment — even ten minutes a day pays off greatly over time. Becoming a good friend takes psychological skills like listening and expressing gratitude; don't lose old friends — over the years they become your most valuable asset. For instance, Dilshod has written a personal letter to all his close friends every 14 January for five years now — you too can start something small but meaningful like that!
Author: Sardor Otayorov, psychologist at Mirzo Ulugbek Samarkand State Technical University.
