MAINTAINING CORDIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEERS

“The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”
                                      -Theodore Roosevelt

Relationships are key - they are imperative for many different reasons such as increasing our emotional wellbeing, creating stability, learning how to be a good friend or mate, having someone to count on and trust in times of need. 
Man is a social animal - constantly surrounded by people immaterial of various constructs- which is why building and maintaining cordial relationships with one’s peers is extremely crucial. 
Schools, colleges and workplaces bring together a mixed bag of people, not of our choosing but with different values, cultures, expectations, age ranges, and personalities- all sources of potential conflict. It is not surprising that disagreements and tensions arise when people have little idea of suitable methods for placating the situation effectively. Now, more than ever, society needs people who believe in building relationships, communicating and working effectively in a team. 
 
In order to ensure that cordial peer relationship are sustainable, respect needs to be paramount - the most basic, yet effective, means of establishing and maintaining good relationships. We must treat all our peers with the same courtesy as we would expect to receive from them. Communication is of utmost importance in relationships of all capacities – one must communicate with others effectively and honestly to build meaningful peer relationship. It is always good to remember that the art of good communication is listening as much as speaking. Being helpful is pivotal when one is navigating relationships with one's peers – if a peer reaches out for help, one should always help him/her provided it is within the bandwidth to do so. Helping people is a two-way process – if given, it is almost always reciprocated. 
Thus, a positive peer relationship is one of the most valuable things people should cultivate in whatever environment they are a part of. One must always try to remember the core tenets of not just building good peer relationship, but also maintaining them – which is the hard part invariably.