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Introduction

Literature Review

(contention #1) WSU clubs, and Friendship Making

(contention #2) WSU, and Freshman guidance on forming "Critical Friendships"

Another Perspective

Refutation

Conclusion

References

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My topic, the benefits and consequences of the lack or forming of friendships in college research provided me with a greater understanding of the mental, physical, and social positives of forming solid friendships in a college setting. The consequences of forming unstable or one-sided relationships on mental, physical, and social effects. Lastly, the performance of students who either have or do not have strong friendships.

Benefits of Forming and Sustaining Critical Friendships

An increase of positive habits and mental health stability is formed, strengthening of social awareness and confidence, understanding and positive mood.

(Friesz, S. K., 2009) supports the effect of a strong network of friends helping people break through challenges. (Brewer, C. A., 2021) Supports the effect of strong sense of friendship related to an improvement in social awareness and social change to improve society.

Consequences of Forming or lacking Critical Friendships

Lack of awareness or motivation, controlled influence, weakening of attention or happiness, susceptibility to bad habits and reclusively toward fellow students. (Al-Najdi, S., 2025) supports attentiveness issues and lack of positive self-opinion.

(Lancieri, L., 2017) Provides evidence about social distancing from others when friendship is not reciprocated.

Effects of Friendships or the Lack Thereof in a College Setting

College performance is overall greatly improved and provides a more positive experience when provided with critical friendships compared to those who lack that inspiring change and growth as a character.

(Leong, P., 2015) Relays the benefits for transfer student learning and adapting to foreign environments through friendships. (Grljušic, A. K, 2018) supports the effect of an increase in experience and efficiency when strengthened by friendships.

My argument with my understanding of my topic would be to restructure how we form friendships and methods supported by references on the most efficient methods of which to help those suffering in college to make critical friendships. In this argument I would use the evidence provided to suggest it to be easier and affordable for transfer student learning experiences, enforcement of clubs and the reduction of unnecessary clubs at WSU. Lastly, I would argue that students that are struggling should receive help from an ally in class that they can have to allow a friendship network to form.

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One of Washington State Universities Appeals is toward the large amount of clubs that are offered from clubs as universal as an Art or Sport Club, but also unique clubs such as a Milk Club or Archery Club. While offering a wide variety of clubs can attract those of many interests I find that too many clubs can imply lesser quality or form discomfort from not understanding what a club represents. This in turn with clubs being scheduled at variant times and places adds confusion and complexity that would drive away people that are unsocial or looking for finding clubs to join. From my research I have found several instances of positive effects of mental health, mental focus, productivity and willingness to face challenge form from creating friendships in college, and I feel the strength of friendships can be reduced due to the mass amount of clubs and a skewed attendance of each of them. Also from (Lancieri,2017) There is evidence that asymmetric friendships built as non-mutual can lead to students becoming more likely to isolate or outcast for the fear of not forming meaningful connections. In my other source (Ángeles, S.,L., 2024) there was a qualitative research report of the impact of making new friends in college which helped students navigate and succeed from friends made in clubs and club activates.

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WSU and Freshman guidance on forming "Critical Friendships" 5.

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WSU and Freshman guidance on forming "Critical Friendships" 5.

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As a Student who moved to WSU this year and began studying in Pullman I am aware of a disconnect from forming friendships that are critical. My definition derived from several of my sources for "critical friendships" (Al-Najdi, S., 2025) are friendships that are built on mutual trust and focus of critique and constructive criticism as well as being s foundation and support to meet challenges. I feel as a Freshman that forming these friendships is challenging as critical friendships require time and understanding to bloom. So I have a desire to act for change to implement areas that are accessible to those who wish to connect to another in a critical meaning. From (Grljušic, Kolak, 2018) There is evidence that forming critical friendships help students including freshman become less dependent and boosting experience from college through exploring extra circulars and education when students can engage meaningfully in a critical friendships.

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However these means are efficient in the concession, I feel like there effectiveness is entirely reliant of clubs to make. The pressure of tabling and advertising may impede or delay some club activity as we have presence to reduce the amount of advertisement required to help make more members. Specifically in making friends other than clubs advertising and tabling requires money and time to effectively garden new events to help form friendships. I think that helping people form friendships at URec, and reforming how clubs are established at WSU can help more efficiently and make the change last longer than rapid promotion or rapid programing. as mentioned in (Ángeles, Shadduck-Hernández, 2024) support from friends and family can at a comfortable space such as a recreation or in clubs can be crucial in efficiency and productivity to allow students to rest and recover while keeping motivation to continue pursuing tertiary education.

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Another meaningful way to build friendships at WSU would be to improve tabling or create more programs with clubs to increase media of a club to advertise. Tabling is a very effective means to draw in new members and freshman who may want to join clubs can find clubs to attend. Advertising can show students the outreach of clubs and therefore the professionalism of clubs which may interest students in joining a club to participate in a fun and comforting environment. Extremely strong friendships can also be made with transfer student opportunities. As (Leong, 2015) states transfer student opportunities allows for differences between people to be countered and relayed to form very strong friendships and return to country of origin with a greater understanding of friendships and how to build critical ones.

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My call to action is to narrow and strengthen clubs at WSU for the attempt at allowing more students to engage and meet with people who have the quality and quantity of a focused club. I also wish to streamline the process of assisting freshmen in gaining friendships and allowing spaces to help them meet and build critical friendships to help them face challenges as a WSU student.

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References

Al-Najdi, S., Mansoor, A., Hayk, O. A., Al-Hashimi, N., Ali, K., & Daud, A. (2025). Silent struggles: A  qualitative study exploring mental health challenges of undergraduate healthcare students. BMC  Medical Education, 25, 1-12. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06740-8

Friesz, S. K.  (2008). The relationship between loss of friends in first -semester freshmen and ease in  building  new college friendships (Order No. 3324162). Available from ProQuest    Dissertations & Theses  A&I. (304457422). Retrieved from       https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/relationship- between-loss-friends-first-  semester/docview/304457422/se-2

Ángeles, S.,L., & Shadduck-Hernández, J. (2024). The role of family, friends, and colleagues supporting  workers and learners navigating college. Journal of Postsecondary Student Success, 3(3), 49-80.  Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/role-family-friends-colleagues- supporting-workers/docview/3123162870/se-2

Brewer, C. A., Wideman-Johnston, T., & McCabe, M. (2021). Better together: The role of critical    friendship in empowering emerging academics. In Education, 26(2), 75-91. Retrieved from

https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/better-together-role-critical-    friendship/docview/2560456917/se-2

Grljušic, A. K., & Kolak, A. (2018). Peer relations in inclusive classes. Research in Pedagogy, 8(1), 17-

35. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/peer-relations-inclusive-   classes/docview/2101894148/se-2

Lancieri, L. (2017). Asymmetry in the perception of friendship in students groups. ().International    Association for the Development of the Information Society. Retrieved from ERIC Retrieved  from https://www.proquest.com/reports/asymmetry-perception-friendship-students-   groups/docview/2013526347/se-2

Leong, P. (2015). Coming to america: Assessing the patterns of acculturation, friendship formation, and  the academic experiences of international students at a U.S. college. Journal of International  Students, 5(4), 459-474. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/coming- america-assessing-patterns-acculturation/docview/1720062415/se-2

Özyazici, K., & Kanak, M. (2020). The relationship between social ostracism and friendship quality and  false identity in secondary school students. Research in Pedagogy, 10(2), 476-489. Retrieved  from https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/relationship-between-social-ostracism- friendship/docview/2535414287/se-2

Friesz, S. K. (2009). The relationship between loss of friends in first-semester freshmen and ease in  building new college friendships (Order No. AAI3324162). Available from Sociological    Abstracts. (61764841; 200932447). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-  theses/relationship-between-loss-friends-first-semester/docview/61764841/se-2

Rose, S. M. (1983). Friendship termination patterns of college women and men. (). Retrieved from ERIC  Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/reports/friendship-termination-patterns-college- women-men/docview/63447663/se-2

Vreeland, F. M., & Corey, S. M. (1935). A study of college friendships. The Journal of Abnormal and  Social Psychology, 30(2), 229-236. doi:https://doi.org/10.1037/h0057578