On Friends 

Whether in convocation or in the lunch line, friends are a popular topic of conversation at Bryn Mawr. 

What does it mean to be a friend and have a friend? Alumna Hillary Mann ‘09 remains in close touch with five other Bryn Mawr “sisters.” Gathering for dinner in different cities and routinely meeting for their monthly book club, Mann understands the importance of seeking out friendships that will last. When asked how her sisters help her through conflicts and difficult periods, she highlighted their Bryn Mawr connection. “Things get really hard,” she says. “Life gets really real really fast.” When one sister is struggling, she explains how they all rally around her, offering space to cope, grieve, or process. 

Similarly, Harleen Singh '11 has also remained close with Bryn Mawr friends all over the country and spoke about how drama is more outside of their friendship. She credits Bryn Mawr with providing her the tools to communicate; Bryn Mawr students and alums typically have “the words to talk through things.” Singh notes how the best friendships are those in which friends “cheer each other on without a second thought.” For instance, Singh will be running the NYC Marathon, and two Bryn Mawr friends will be there to watch and support!
For those still seeking those valuable friendships, Singh encourages exploring things that interest you and fully committing to them. Invest time and energy in yourself, “pursue things passionately,” and you will find people who will be attracted to your energy and who you may naturally get along with. She says, “If you’re doing the things that you love and there are people near you doing those things, they’re probably going to be like-minded people you’ll grow close with eventually. Just give it some time.” Mann also noted that long-lasting friendships happen organically, and Bryn Mawr’s environment helps instill a natural sense of womanhood among its students. Friendships are a large part of our teenage years, but sometimes it is easy to place too much emphasis on simply having them rather than cultivating the ones that will last. 

Friends are everywhere. Sometimes, it’s the person who makes the trek to Gilman bearable or an inspiring upperclassman who leads your favorite club. Just remember, there’s power in the Bryn Mawr connection.