The friends you make at university are ones that are made to last a lifetime. 

After all, they are the ones who carried you through your slob-kabob freshman year, studied with you during sophomore year’s terrible twos, and even let you cry on their shoulder when that dream internship turned you down junior year. 

Your college friends have seen you through the good, the bad, and the downright ugly! It’s only natural, then, that leaving them for any period of time can cause your world to dramatically implode. Which is exactly what happens when summer break rolls around — ouch.

In order to accept the distance between you, it is only natural to go through the emotional stages of soul sister withdrawal: 

Table of Contents

1. Denial

It’s not really happening … is it?!

The first emotional stage of leaving your friends for the summer is denial. 

No, it’s not happening! How could it happen? It’s summer already and time to move home? Wait, what?!

2. Relief

Time for some me time!

The second emotional stage is relief. You have been surrounded by people 25/8 all semester so it’s nice to relax a little. At first. Of course, the only downside to relaxing is it gets boring … fast. 

So trust me, this stage DOES NOT last very long. Soon, you’ll move on to…

3. Despair

After your moment of bubble baths, sleeping in, watching movies, and pigging out, reality sets in.

Yes, this is what you usually do with your time. But, don’t you usually do it with your hot mess express gal pals??

You are tired, lonely, and missing the people that just get you. Sob.

4. Dealing

I’m sorry, but someone has got to say it: Get off your booty and get to work! 

Getting back on that grind is the best way to get your mind off of the friends you’re missing and onto more productive things! This stage will carry you through the summer months.