D Nell

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Within this blog entry I will be discussing and reflecting on my social network and the interactions that take place within it.

My social network consists of my family, my friends and my fellow students. However, the difference is that each of these spheres of my social network have different interactions  and I relate to each of them differently as well.

Firstly, my family is the main part of my social network. I relate to them in a sense that they are my flesh and blood as well as them being my main support group while I am at university. We interact on a day-to-day basis and within these interactions I tell them about what I am feeling, how my day was and just about general events which occurred on that specific day. They look after my emotional needs and ensure that I remain positive and encouraged.

The next sphere that forms part of my social network is my friends. I form a deeper understanding with my friends because they are of a similar age to me and can understand me better at times than my family. I tend to turn to my friends when a specific problem, which they can relate to, arises. They act as my secondary support group and cater towards my need for social interaction as well as emotional support at times. However, if there is a problem within my family environment I can turn to my friends and ask for advice.

The last sphere of my social network is my fellow university students. This is the sphere with which I interact the least, however it does not mean that it is not important. The social interactions within this sphere may be few and far in between but I relate to this sphere the most in context to my university life. Although I do not necessarily form a deep bond with them, I can still relate to them, especially the first years, as we are all going through a shift in our social environments as well as a change in our emotional needs. I understand that I am not the only first year experiencing this and this helps me to deal with the stress of a new environment.

In conclusion, the social network in which an individual lies plays a huge role in emotional well-being and social needs. There may be different levels or standings within this social network to which individuals relate differently towards, however each sphere or level is just as important than the last. I discussed the three levels within my social network and how it affects me and how I relate with and interact with them. These levels include my family, my friends and my fellow university students. Each one on their own is important but together they form the basis of each individual's social life and ensures that said individual lives a well balanced life and forms part of the culture within a certain environment in our society.