My senior year is right around the corner with move-in day in less than two weeks. This year will be a little different for me because my roommate and best friend is transferring to a school closer to home. Sometimes you room with someone and they become a good friend, but Chase became more of a brother to me. From late night Cookout runs to Sunday long runs to the Batman building (It’s right there), Chase taught me many lessons and made me a better person. There are many, but here are a few of the things I learned from being with Chase the last three years:
- Don’t worry about what other people think
At the end of the day, you have to do what you believe is right. You are going to make decisions that will make people upset no matter what. Chase showed me that it is much better and healthier to not worry what other people think. He sure doesn’t care about my opinion of his Chacos. Chase isn’t worried about pleasing everyone. He is focused on standing up for what he believes and values.
- Stand up for yourself
Over the last two years, Chase has really helped me stand up for myself. When I am direct with someone, I will text him and tell him how good I feel knowing that I handled a discussion head on. He gives me the approving applause that I need to boost my confidence. Chase is like a rooted tree and, at times, I can be like a leaf in the wind. It would take a bulldozer to knock him over and, at times, I can be swayed by a little breeze. Chase is great at fighting for things that should be changed while I would be willing to go along with whatever someone else decides. Any relationship takes healthy discussion and conflict, so don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and what you want to happen. You won’t bottle up as many feelings when you are willing to put your opinion on the line in the first place.
- Work hard, but have fun
College takes a lot of studying and I don’t think anyone would argue that I do a lot of it. Chase always did what he needed to get done, but he was always in if our friend group would do something. Freshman year, I spent many nights doing homework when I could have been spending time with my friends. Chase helped me realize that I will always get the homework done, but I can’t always go back and spend time with my teammates. The joke is that Chase can convince me to do anything, except play Pokémon Go. He used to have to bug me enough times that I would give in, but now I mostly just agree to whatever we are doing. There is time for work, but don’t be so obsessed with work that you don’t enjoy time with those around you. Your friends aren’t going to be living on the same campus or in the same city as you forever. Don’t take that time for granted.
- Surround yourself with people who aren’t exactly like you.
Chase and I have very similar interests, which is why we are such great friends, but we handle things very differently. Our enneagram types are near opposites of each other, but I think it is fair to say that we have each helped each other grow into the people that we are. Chase has characteristics that I want to be better at, so he has helped me develop those. Spend time with people you want to be like. Having a circle of people who address conflict and handle things just like you can work, but you won’t change. If you want to grow, be friends with people who think differently than you. Chase and I are the go-to guys for addressing tough situations. Chase is great at making the quick decision and I am good at wording things the right way. Chase makes the tough decision and I make it as loving as possible while still getting the point across. When you combine different strengths, you make a great team.
“It’s like we’re Batman and Robin, except we’re both Batman.”
-JP