College. One of the most confusing times of your life. If you’re in high school, middle school, or whatever; just wait until college because it’s one big ol’ "what is going on with my life." Coming into college I was in an almost six-year relationship. I thought I had my entire life figured out. I was graduating school with a nursing degree, getting engaged at 22, married at 23, kids, dream house, the whole works. Things change though, and you end up single. You’re so used to someone being there that you think you need get in another relationship right away. My advice is to be single, find yourself, figure out your place, and more than anything build relationships with your friends.

Your high school friends are awesome, but some will be temporary. It is impossible to stay close knit to all of your high school friends. Especially in a time of going through life changes. Your high school friends can try and comfort you from miles away at different schools, but you need college friends. You need college friends for so many reasons, and this is why building friendships at college is more important than being in a relationship.

1. These are your forever friends.

When you graduate these are the people you will more than likely want to stay in touch with. They are the ones you will want to call about your new job, or ask about their new job. They are the ones that you will want to meet up with for a weekend to reminisce about college. You will graduate and miss them more than college itself. They will be the ones that make graduating bitter sweet. Your significant other will be your forever friend as well, but you need your college friends to talk to when you can’t seem to talk to you significant other.

2. They are there when no one else is.

Your college friends will be there when you feel like you are all alone. Which in college that can be a majority of the time. They are there to talk whenever you need them. They are the ones you can call after getting in a fight with your boyfriend, and they won't hesitate to grab a movie and come over. They won’t judge you for crying, or eating a tub of ice cream because chances are they are doing it right with you. They hurt when you hurt because they care about you so much that it hurts them to see you in the state you are. They are going to be the ones when you get your heart broken that pick up all the pieces and try to make you whole again. They will stand by your side making sure you are okay at all times. They will find things to keep you busy, and give you every reason why that person wasn’t good enough for you. They will see the positives in you when all you see are the negatives.

3. They know more about you than anyone else.

They know all of your deepest darkest secrets. They know your entire life because part of making friends in college is telling them your life story. They don’t judge because chances are their life story is just as messed up as yours is. They know what annoys you, what makes you laugh until you cry, what you are thinking, and more importantly when something is bothering you. They are the ones that can tell when something is wrong with you before anyone else can. Including your boyfriend at the time. Heck, they might even be the one that will drop the hint to your boyfriend that something is wrong.

4. They support you in every decision.

Your friends won’t judge you. No matter what decision you make they will support you. Often times I find myself talking to my friends and they will give me advice and then say, “but I will still support you in whatever decision you make.” That is a good phrase to hear. Knowing you have your own fan base is the best feeling. Your friends will support you when you make a fool out of yourself, have a crush on someone who is not so good looking, when you break up with someone, and even when you decide to try dating again. It is good to have friends who support you because regardless of whether you succeed or not they will always be there to cheer you on.

5. These are your bridesmaids.

9/10 your college friends will be some of your bridesmaids in your wedding. It’s not that your high school friends weren’t good enough, but your college friends are your family away from home. They’ve seen every good and bad decision you made at college, and still didn’t tell your mom. They are the ones that will be standing there watching you as you walk down the aisle giving you a thumbs up and thinking back to when you broke up with your high school sweetheart thinking it was the end of your world and you finally found the actual man of your dreams. Even when you are married they will still be there because you’re all each other have when no one else seems to be around.

If there is anything I could take from college so far it’s that I want to meet all of my forever friends before I meet the man of my dreams because these are the people that have helped mold me into who I am today, and I can’t thank them enough.