I am in my junior year of college, just about to start NURSING SCHOOL! While this is huge leap for me, and such a relief to have survived up until this point, I would not have done so without my amazing friends!

They say that college is a time to re-invent yourself, to start a journey that goes in whatever direction you would like. This statement could not be anymore true.

College is indeed a time to "re-invent" yourself. Yes, you will still be the same person, but a person who has no reputation, no history, and no known mistakes. College knows nothing about you until you say so.

College does not know your past, your mistakes, your trials, or who you were in high school. This is a chance to make yourself a new person, essentially.

There are a couple things that make this process a whole lot easier.

One, Jesus. Jesus makes everything better.

Two, FRIENDS! To succeed in reinventing yourself, you must first make friends. Don't be shy, these people will live with you and be with you for the rest of your life. These friends are forever friends.

Forever friends are the best friends because they and the memories you share with them will stay with you forever.

College friends are so important. They literally will change your life.

"Before college" friends, yes, they help you through middle school, weird haircuts, braces, and crushes - but, college friends stick with you through tough classes, dorm meetings, torn ACL's and engagements. College friends literally stick it out for you no matter what.

They are always there for you. They always encourage you. But they are never afraid to stop you when you're about to do something stupid.

They are your study buddies, your CFA french fry stealers, late night Walmart drivers for Doritos and cookie dough, but most of all, they are your support group, your encouragers, your shoulder to cry on and the ones who will celebrate with you over every victory, no matter how small.

College friends — I wouldn't have made it this far if it weren't for all of you.

If you do not have college friends, you might want to think twice about what you're missing out on.

If you do not have college friends, you might want to stop what you're doing and go make some.

If you do not have college friends because you think you're too shy, or you think you won't find anyone who will like you or share the same interests as you - throw those roadblocks out of the way and plow on through to Friendship Street. Because once you make a friend, you become best friends, and once you become best friends it will be as if you never knew any different. Your life will be forever changed!

The memories that you will share, the adventures you will go on, the food you will eat, the movies you will watch, the famous people you "eeeeeeek" out about, and the laughter you will share are way more than worth it — they are unforgettable.

So here's to all my college friends out there. Thank you for being my college buddies and for helping me get to where I am today. The memories we share, the adventures we went on, and the "under the table notes to one another so the professor won't see" moments, will never be forgotten.

Thank you for blessing my life with laughter, love, and a whole lot of Chick-fil-A!