Going Solo

Sometimes, you’re all the company you need. Discover the value in hanging out with yourself.

By: Chanel Thorpe

Most people expect every weekend at college to be jam-packed upon their arrival. Especially at a city school like Boston University, it can be hard to meet the reality that more weekends are spent in your dorm than you expected. It’s challenging to face the fact that everyone has their own busy schedules, social batteries, and responsibilities that place everyone at different levels of availability. A big part of college is your growth and realizing that what works for you may not work for others.

Friends should never discourage you from doing the things you enjoy, even if that means doing them solo. Not everything needs to be done in groups in order to be fun, and, of course, not everyone has the same idea of fun in the first place.

It’s okay to step away from your friends and take time for self-care, flourish in your hobbies, or simply because your social battery has run out. It is not worth it to miss out on valuable experiences just because you cannot go with a friend. You are not a “loser” if you want to have a you day! It’s self-care! Go to that club meeting by yourself! Not all of your friends may be interested in the same clubs as you—and that is perfectly okay. You can make more friends within the club that interests you. Many people at BU make some of their best friends through clubs that interest both of them.

Making solo trips into Boston, like shopping or events in the city, is great for various reasons: not factoring in others’ time, not waiting on others, or balancing interests. Solo trips help you become more independent and allow you to go at your own pace. College doesn’t last forever, and, unfortunately, it is possible that things that come up in the future will put you in a spot of being alone. It is your responsibility to take yourself out of it and make the most of your situation. It’s hard, yes, but letting yourself stay in a state of loneliness can bring you to a different, darker place. So, learn to love being alone!

Loving yourself means knowing when to take breaks and understanding the difference between feeling lonely and being alone.