We’re always moving around in college. New classes, new friends, moving apartments every year — sometimes it feels nomadic.

We sit in class every day and learn, then go to work to pay for school; after a long day, we go back home and rest. But what about how we spend our free time? And who do we choose to spend it with?

Since a lot of our college life is work, school and home, it’s important to have a third space. A third space is a social environment away from your home (the first place) and your workplace or school (the second place). It should bring you comfort, joy, community and connection, and through engaging relationships, provide a place for growth, purpose and fulfillment.

We all have school friends or work friends. They’re easy to make and always there when you need them. Walking into your 9:30 a.m. class and seeing a familiar face can definitely take some of the stress off. Or if you’re nervous about working a crazy Friday night and you see your favorite host, your attitude instantly lifts. Spending leisure time with others who share your interests and finding a third space where you can relax and be yourself can bring so much more happiness to your college life.

Whether it’s the silent book club, a religious organization or skydiving club, there’s a third space for everyone. It doesn’t have to be something new either. If you have a hobby you do alone, most likely you’ll enjoy it more with someone who shares that interest.

However, these spaces aren’t easy to build for yourself, especially at a school as big as K-State. It requires getting out of your comfort zone, meeting new people and potentially walking away with an embarrassing moment or funny story.

Even if you go to a club or an organization you don’t like, the experience is still an important step toward learning more about yourself. Third spaces are just an alternative place where you can be yourself.

A lot of us struggle with social anxiety, embarrassment or the difficulty of experiencing something new. These things are scary, but the only way to get over the hump and grow is to meet new people and have new experiences. I’ve never met anybody who shared a good story from the time they rotted in bed on TikTok.

A major benefit of having a third space, or searching for one, is creating great memories and having those fun stories to share with your kids down the road. It brings more fun to this time in our lives, and honestly, it’ll make the transition back to Manhattan after a break easier.

Remembering who you hung out with, what you did and what you’ll do next brings excitement for the future. It changes your perspective from going back to school to going back to experiences and people. 

The saying is true: what you put into something is what you get out. You don’t have to join a space permanently or even go back for a second try, but the opportunity for a new friend, memory or hobby awaits you in a third space.