Down the Hall

February 8th, 2025

Writer: Kyndall Brown

Editor: Jackson Zuercher

I was repeatedly told about the amazing people I would meet when coming to college. Like anyone walking into a new environment, I was a bit wary of this reassurance. To be fair, I did not know what the future held for me and I was deeply afraid that it was not as shining and sparkly as everyone had described. Now, being on the other side of it, I can say that it is better than I ever could have imagined. Penn has brought me people who do more than shine and sparkle, they give warm hugs and make me a better person.

Developing friendships is one of the biggest highlights of my experience, after all, those people come to be your home away from home. I was not prepared, however, to meet my best friend and make-shift therapist. That feeling is incomparable and I wholly believe that it should be celebrated more. What’s even better is having the privilege of living with her. Having one of my favorite people two feet away from me has made my life infinitely better.

I met Mia by chance while canvassing for a friend’s presidential campaign, knocking on doors in the freshman Quad. She opened the door and greeted me with a simple “Hi.” After signing the paper that I gently shoved in her face, I moved on to the next hundred doors, not yet knowing that this fleeting moment would grow into something far more meaningful. Little did I know I would come to visit her floor at least five times a week. When any minor inconvenience occurred or I had exciting news to share, I would drop everything and run to 317 Butcher.

Before the days that I could be found in her room more often than my own, we realized that we shared a favorite study spot – a corner table in the Memorial Tower library. The table felt very quintessential college to me, surrounded by exposed brick and large windows. I can’t say that is why she studied there, but I am grateful that she did. One day after studying in our favorite spot, we decided to grab a quick dinner, considering that neither of us had plans. That dinner would be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Over the next two hours at Commons dining hall, we unpacked all of the drama in her life and instantly bonded over the insanity that was our first month at Penn. I left this dinner with a big smile and a new friend.

Over the next year, Mia became my confidant and it wasn’t long before I couldn’t imagine my life without her. This feeling was strange, considering I had only known her for nine months. I now understood why everyone was so enthusiastic about their college friendships. One day, we were standing in some random upperclassman’s apartment talking to a group of girls we knew little about. As the conversations grew repetitive, Mia and I decided to talk in a small group with one of our other friends. Sophomore year housing decisions were looming and this friend of ours asked the obvious question: “Why aren’t you two roommates?” The rest is history.

Ever since that dinner, Mia has been there for every up and down of my life. I ran into her room screaming when I got accepted to go abroad for the summer. She came running into mine with a box of tissues and a shoulder to cry on when she heard that my grandpa died. I can count on her for the big occasions, but that is not what makes up a true friendship. The best parts are the little moments, like when I waltz into her room at 8 am to scream good morning or when we bake cinnamon rolls and sit on the couch to watch the weekly episode of Dancing with the Stars. 

The fact that my best friend is a hop, skip, and jump away is one of my favorite things about college. If you are lucky enough to have this same experience, remember to enjoy all of the late-night talks and the random dance parties. Every one of those memories will be what remains when I think back on my time at Penn and that is quite lovely. I hope that for all of you reading, a lifelong friendship like this graces your college experience. There is nothing quite like having your best friend two feet away, ready to be there through it all.