No One Should Walk Alone: The Beauty Of Student Relationships On Tertiary Campuses

“When I came to school, I was always wondering how I was going to mingle with people due to the stigma. Sometimes, I would like to speak with someone, but they do not come close to me because they think visual impairment is contagious. When I met Felicity, although also physically challenged, she has been helping me a lot.”

— Esther Boadu, a visually impaired student at the University of Ghana, Legon (JoyNews, “This Abled” series, 2024).

Esther Boadu’s experience shows the importance of friendship and support in school. Beyond lectures, examinations, and certificates, campus life is also about meeting people who accept us, understand us, and help us during difficult times.

At the beginning of every academic year or semester, tertiary campuses are full of activity. Students walk around, chatting and laughing. Some move in groups, while others walk alone. Although some prefer their own company, others may find it difficult to make friends.

First-year students are often excited about meeting new colleagues and building relationships with course mates and senior students. These relationships can make campus life enjoyable and help students overcome challenges.

Academic support

I will never forget my stay on campus. In fact, my experiences inspired me to write this article.

Honestly, I did well in many courses because of the relationships I built with my colleagues. They gave me valuable academic support.

I remember preparing for an examination in a difficult course. Students feared the paper because, according to the lecturer, only a few had passed it in previous years.

Fortunately, a colleague explained the course in a way I could understand. His explanation gave me the confidence to sit for the examination.

When the results came out, I was among the few students who passed. I still remember the joy I felt when I checked the notice board. This experience taught me that good relationships can make a difference in academic life.

Through group studies, students share ideas, ask questions, correct mistakes, and learn from one another.Students who have taken part in group studies can testify to their benefits. Friends can also exchange ideas and encourage one another during research projects and dissertations.

Safety net

One day, I arrived late for an examination without knowing that the venue had been changed.

When I reached the original venue, I was told that the examination had been moved elsewhere. Nobody I met could tell me the new location. As time was running out, I became worried.

I called a friend, who helped me locate the new venue. Without his help, I might have missed the examination.

Hmm! I still remember that day.

This experience showed me how helpful good friends can be when unexpected problems arise. Friends can accompany one another when walking at night, look after each other’s belongings, and seek help when someone falls ill.

They can also support classmates facing financial difficulties, academic pressure, or personal problems. For students with disabilities, good friends can help them feel accepted and included. Esther’s experience shows how much a caring relationship can mean to someone who feels isolated.

Cultural exchange

Tertiary campuses bring together students from different ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds. They have different languages, beliefs, foods, and traditions.

Through friendship, students learn about these differences. A student may learn a new language, taste a traditional meal, or take part in another community’s cultural celebration.

These experiences help students respect other cultures and avoid judging people based on rumours or false beliefs. They also teach important values such as kindness, patience, and tolerance.

In this way, students gain not only academic knowledge but also the skills needed to live peacefully with others.

Lifetime support

Nobody knows exactly what the future holds after graduation. However, friendships formed on campus can last for many years.

Imagine having former classmates attend your marriage ceremony, celebrate your child’s naming ceremony, help you during financial difficulties, or connect you to a job opportunity.

Former classmates can become business partners, workmates, advisers, and lifelong friends. However, lasting relationships require trust, honesty, respect, and genuine care.

Students must also choose their friends carefully. Good friends encourage responsible behaviour, support academic progress, and help one another make good decisions.

Meaningful relationships

Although friendships offer many benefits, not every relationship is helpful. Some friends may encourage behaviour that affects academic progress and personal development.

Students should therefore choose friends who respect others, encourage good behaviour, and support their goals. They should also be willing to listen, offer help, and show kindness.

Not everyone makes friends easily. Some students are shy, while others need time to feel comfortable around new people. Students should not judge others simply because they walk alone or appear quiet. A friendly greeting or an invitation to join a study group may be the beginning of a lasting friendship.

Universities can also help by organising orientation programmes, peer mentoring, and activities that bring students together.

Tertiary education is not only about attending lectures, passing examinations, and obtaining certificates. It is also about making friends, learning from others, and developing useful life skills.

Esther Boadu’s experience shows how friendship can help students facing stigma and isolation. My own experiences also show how friends can provide academic support and help us overcome unexpected challenges.

Good student relationships promote learning, provide support during difficult times, encourage cultural understanding, and create lasting friendships.

Ultimately, the goal is not to have as many friends as possible but to build meaningful relationships that improve our lives and the lives of others.

As students walk across campus today, they should remember that the person beside them may become a source of knowledge, a helping hand in difficult times, or a friend who makes their campus journey worthwhile.

Sometimes, the true value of campus life lies not only in what we learn in the lecture hall but also in the people we meet along the way.

**** By Henry Atta Nyame

([email protected])

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