As my first semester comes to a close, I began to reflect on my college experience and how I got to where I am now. My college experience began a little differently than most - my school hosted a program called 'Summer Experience' where we lived at the college for a week, attended classes, and had the opportunity to meet people and build friendships before the semester even began.

I was at a disadvantage - primarily because not only am I an out-of-state student, but many people who came had gone to high school together. Many of these people were all from Maine, and had so much in common that I could not relate to. I was questioning how in the world I was ever going to make friends.

I got lucky, to say the least. I was able to find one person who shared my love of comic books and The Avengers, and together, we found my roommate's friend group who offered to let us sit with them at dinner. The rest was history.

I know not every college has a program like this. Often, students are left on move-in day with a new roommate and absolutely no one familiar. While some kids are social butterflies - able to step out the dorm and suddenly walk out with a new group of friends - others are shy, and take a little more time to come out of their shells.

To the college kids who are struggling to make friends in this new environment: I promise you, you will find your people. Sometimes it takes time. For all you know, your best friend might still be a senior in high school, wondering how they'll make a new friend as well. Your potential friend group was probably once as nervous as you are, and they're just waiting for that one person to complete their circle. And who knows? Maybe that one person is you.

They say even if you just make one friend, you've already succeeded. And I can tell you for certain, that phrase is the truth. From my one friend I made, I left school this semester with a plethora of people I can safely call some of my very best friends.

Sure, it takes some effort on your part. I know joining clubs and organizations can be terrifying, but if you just join one club, something you're truly interested in and enjoy, you'll find people who have the same interests and passions as you. You'll find people you can play table games with (don't knock Dungeons & Dragons 'til you've tried it), and you'll find people who are just as obsessed with the Patriots as you are. I promise you, they're out there.

I took solace in my friend group back home. They helped me cope with moving far away from home, and assured me they'd still be there when I came back for breaks. Now, they'll be rejoicing, as will I, because I'm home. If you struggle to find your people here, the friends back home are always there to talk to and act like you never left.

I promise you, you are not alone in your struggle to find friends. So many people are shy and are scared to find the people they can spend the next four years with. Sit next to someone who is sitting by themselves at lunch. Sit next to that kid sitting on the other side of the classroom. They may be waiting for someone to come introduce themselves.

College is difficult, there's no denying that. We could all use a shoulder to lean on when finals become too much, and we're left crying straight into the morning over your ten-page paper due in a few hours. It's okay if you choose to go at it alone. I applaud you for being able to find solace within yourself. For those who need a helping hand to get through the year, that's perfectly okay too. I promise, if you look hard enough, you'll find someone who's dying to get to know you and become your friend.