Iseult Gillespie: How some friendships last — and others don’t

How some friendships last — and others don’t

Friendships can change how we see and move through the world. They can boost our academic performance, help us deal with setbacks, and even improve our health. And the relationships we form in adolescence can shape our beliefs, values, and emotional growth. But making and maintaining friends isn’t always easy. Iseult Gillespie shares how to build healthy friendship habits. [Directed by Biljana Labović, narrated by Alexandra Panzer, music by Salil Bhayani].

Friendships shape how people perceive challenges, like judging a hill as less steep when accompanied by a friend. Strong bonds can lift academic achievement, build resilience during setbacks, and nurture lifelong health. Studies show most people underestimate how much others like them, a gap that needlessly stifles connection. Building and maintaining meaningful friendships takes effort, consistency, and honest conversation—even when relationships shift or face conflict.