“If Noah can write Allie 365 letters, you can answer my text message.” —eCard
We know that it can be difficult to maintain relationships, especially when your student life at Keene State College is so different and far away from the life you have at home.
But it remains important for many to maintain relationships with those who matter—no matter if they’re close by or far away.
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We spoke to a variety of KSC students to find out not only who they chose to stay in touch with, but also how they are able to keep those relationships off the back burner.
For many students, keeping in touch with their parents proved to be a top priority.
To go from living with a set of parents or guardians 24/7 to a life on your own in college is an adjustment. In order to maintain that bond students made with their parents growing up, many said they stay in touch with their parents on a daily to weekly basis.
Sophomore Katrina Oswald said she mostly communicates with her parents and sister.
“They’re [such] a part of my life,” Oswald said.
She said she also texts her sister on a regular basis.
“I text them quite often, mostly about stupid stuff a couple times per week,” she said. She explained she skypes with her family occasionally.
For international student junior Ross Skyrme, communication with family back home is a challenge.
Skyrme, who is from England, said that it is difficult to communicate with family members and friends in a cost-efficient way.
He explained that the time difference on top of the money aspect also plays a large role in determining how he communicates. Skyrme said that he will email his family members to set up a time to Skype, and then will log on in the afternoon.
For Skyrme, communicating is tricky; however, it would be almost impossible to stay in touch with family members without the help of technology.
He said, “I talk to my two sisters a lot on Skype.” He said Skype was really the only way he could talk. He continued, “Over Facebook and email, we organize time to talk—It’s the only way we can keep in touch.”
For many students, technology makes it easier for them to stay in touch–it gives them a way to be connected.
Without the use of cell phones, texting, emailing, and skyping, the way we maintain relationships would differ.
According to the article, “How Technology Redefines the Way We Connect,” by Dr. Jim Taylor, “Technology limits what we can truly know about someone. It prevents us from using the most deeply ingrained qualities that have allowed us to make connections for ages.”
While technology may be the quickest means of communication, sometimes it is not the most effective.
With texting and phone calls, we are missing out on the significant components of interaction–from body language and facial expressions. Someone may tell you how they feel or what they are thinking, but how are we supposed to know if they truly feel that way without seeing their body language or facial cues?
But in the busy world of students today, the reality is that there is just only so much you can do to keep things going while you have so much to do at school.
Sophomore Vicki Taraveli expressed the difficulty she faces when trying to keep up with her relationships back home.
Taraveli said, “It’s hard to keep in touch when you’re doing different things.”
Similarly sophomore Nikki Stacy said different schedules make friendships tricky.
“It’s hard to keep in touch with everyone because everyone’s so busy,” she continued, “I feel like I have to schedule with people to catch up.”
Carley O’Brien, a sophomore, echoed Stacy and said she doesn’t really talk to friends back home during the busy semester. “Everyone’s so different in their different environments,” she said.
For sophomore Courtney Roberts, staying in close touch with her friends back home is important.
Roberts said she uses her phone and Facebook to stay close with those back home.
“I call or text at least once a week to my parents and friends,” she said.
While texting is the quickest and easiest way to stay in touch, texting is not a replacement for face-to-face communication.
Freshman Aubrie Costas relies entirely on her iPhone to stay in touch with people back home. She said she communicates with family and friends.
“I text them and FaceTime them and Skype them everyday. I love it.”
Some people are able to just pick up relationships where they left off last. For others, it takes time and energy to maintain friendships. At the end of the day, even with as much negative talk as there is about cell phone use, they prove to be lifelines.
“If we can’t solve it via email, IM, texting, faxing, or phone calls, let’s resort to meeting in person.” —eCard
Julie Conlon can be contacted at
jconlon@keene-equinox.com
Sam Norton can be contacted at
snorton@keene-equnox.com
