On the last day of school, many students realize they are saying goodbye to more than just classrooms and uniforms. For many seniors, the joy of graduating is accompanied by the harsh realization that some friendships might end.
As the Class of 2025 prepares to step into a new phase, many students face the emotional challenge of maintaining high school friendships while making room for new ones. This topic recurs within the school community, as it reflects not just personal growth, but emotional intelligence. Through interviews with seniors and recent research, it becomes clear that friendships will change, but won’t necessarily end thanks to the student’s willingness to maintain communication and find balance.
Friendships don’t end out of nowhere; they evolve. Lucas Henao, a senior preparing to study abroad, acknowledges this shift and the possible outcomes; which can mean possible challenges but also potential growth opportunities.
“It’s hard, but it also has benefits and drawbacks, depending on the strength of the friendship,” Senior Lucas Henao said.
Even though Henao believes distance will negatively impact his closest friendships, he is committed to maintaining them. Thanks to technology, today’s world is widely interconnected, giving students a chance to be in contact with the people they care about the most.
“I’m willing to call all my friends at least three to four times a week,” Henao said.
Another technological advantage besides communications is video games. As strange as this might sound, many teenagers spend large portions of their day playing on computers and consoles. This is a chance for students separated by distance to have a time where they can enjoy each other.
“We can see each other’s lives, play games together, and just have fun even if we’re far apart,” Henao said.
But distance isn’t the only thing changing; so are priorities. Emilio Medina, who plans to stay in Medellín, shared that even seeing friends leave can change the dynamic.
“I would like my closest friends to stay with me through college, but sadly, life keeps going andsome of my best friends are leaving and strating and new life,” Senior Emilio Medina said.
He worries about time zones and busy schedules. As some of his closest friends pursue internationalization, for Medina, it is clear that time gaps will be harder to find, as his friends will be focused on academics and social life abroad, and not as much on past friendships. However, he stays optimistic.
“Even talking once a week is enough to maintain a relationship with a very good friend,” Medina said.
He also has a really consolidated view about friendships, believing that you don’t need to have a large social life or many friends to be comfortable with yourself. Sometimes it is about trust and quality over quantity.
“You don’t need to have many friends to be happy. You just need three good friends who will help you move through life,” Medina said.
For Isabel Jaramillo, friendships have played a central role throughout her high school journey. She explained that the support of her friends made school a more welcoming and enjoyable place.
“They are the ones that make me feel welcome and happy,” Senior Isabel Jaramillo said.
Looking toward the future, Jaramillo emphasized that communication is key to keeping friendships strong, especially as life circumstances change. She believes that making time and putting in the effort to stay connected can keep relationships from fading.
“If you make the effort when you see each other, there’s no reason for the friendship to break,” Jaramillo said.
She also reflected on how college will introduce her to people from different backgrounds and with different life experiences, which could influence the way new friendships are formed.
“In college, we see people coming from really different places with very different aspects in their lives,” Jaramillo said. “It’s a wider selection.”
According to The Atlantic, friendships change during major life transitions due to proximity and shifting interests, but intentional effort can preserve them. Psychology Today adds that long-distance friendships are more likely to survive if they were emotionally strong to begin with and both people make consistent efforts.
Meanwhile, The New York Times describes how independence and exposure to diverse social groups in college naturally change how friendships are formed. These insights align with what students like Henao, Medina, and Jaramillo are already experiencing.
Finally, NPR reports that high school seniors have mixed emotions about these transitions, with many expressing hope that true friends will stay connected.
As the seniors of 2025 prepare for graduation, they do so with mixed feelings. While some friendships may fade, others will thrive through commitment and connection. Understanding that change is a natural part of growing up helps students face the future with clarity and confidence.
“After all, letting go doesn’t always mean losing, sometimes, it means making space for something new,” Henao Said.