Is it good to go to college with friends?
Quick answer: Yes, it’s a good idea if you’re not sacrificing a better college, you’re confident you can live together, and you won’t let your friendship stop you from meeting new people and stepping out of your comfort zone.
In this article, I’m going to take a slightly different approach to help you answer the question: Is it good to go to college with friends?
Rather than focusing on all the feel-good aspects, I’m going to show you the three most common downsides of going to college with friends—things that students usually don’t realize until it’s too late.
Now, if none of these downsides apply to you or you’re confident they won’t be an issue, then sure, going to college with friends can have plenty of upsides, like emotional support and shared experiences.
But in my opinion, these positives often don’t outweigh the trade-offs I’m about to discuss.
Choose Your College for the Right Reasons
One of the biggest mistakes students make is choosing a college based on where their friends are going, rather than focusing on what’s best for their intended major or career.
It’s easy to fall into the mindset of, “It’ll be so fun if we go to the same college,” but ask yourself: is fun worth potentially sacrificing your future career?
Your career is something you’ll rely on for the rest of your life after college.
Picking a school that aligns with your major, offers strong programs, and has a solid reputation in your field will have a lasting impact on your future opportunities.
Yes, going to college with friends can make the transition easier and more enjoyable in the short term, but think about the long-term consequences.
Is it really worth choosing a school that might not fully support your career goals just because it means you can stick with your friend?
College is a major stepping stone toward your future—don’t let short-term fun distract you from making the best decision for yourself.
Living Together ≠ Spending Time Together
Another major factor to consider is whether you’ll be living with your friend or separately.
Living together is vastly different from simply spending time together, and you might end up seeing sides of your friend you never knew existed.
When you live with someone, you get to know them on a much deeper level, and not always in a positive way.
You’ll see their habits, how they handle stress, how clean (or messy) they are, and how they behave in their personal space.
Sometimes, these differences can cause tension and strain your friendship, even if you’ve been close for years.
On the other hand, living separately allows you to maintain some space and independence, which can help you both grow as individuals.
You’ll still have the chance to hang out, but you won’t be stepping on each other’s toes or risking the friendship over day-to-day conflicts.
Think carefully about how your living situation might affect your friendship and whether it’s worth the risk.
Staying in Your Comfort Zone
One of the most valuable aspects of going to college is the chance to meet new people, expand your social circle, and grow as a person.
When you go to college with a friend, especially if you’re really close, it’s easy to stay in your comfort zone.
You already have someone to hang out with, so there’s less pressure to put yourself out there and meet new people.
This can be limiting. College is a time for personal growth, and stepping out of your comfort zone is a big part of that.
Making new friends, joining different clubs, and meeting people from different backgrounds can open up opportunities and perspectives that you might not get if you stick with the same group.
While it’s comforting to have a friend by your side, you can’t let that hold you back from fully experiencing what college has to offer.
Conclusion
If you’re confident that none of these trade-offs apply to your situation, then by all means, enjoy college with your friend!
But if any of these points hit close to home, it might be worth considering whether going to college with friends is truly the best choice for your future.
And if you went college solo and your struggling with having no friends, be sure to check out this article, it helped a lot of students and I am sure it can help you!
I hope you now have a clear answer to the question “is it good to go to college with friends?”
Thank You for reading!
