They met you at your best, they've seen you at your worst, and through it all, they still chose to be seen with you in public. I'm talking about your friends. Not the ones you met in high school that you thought would be your "BFF" for the rest of your life, but the ones that have stayed in your life throughout thick and thin.
Who I am referring to is the group of friends you meet throughout your college career. Whether you met them at Freshman Orientation or in line at the dinning hall, you've bonded and connected and there is no going back. College is the best time of your life, right? What's the fun if you don't spend those four (or more) years surrounding yourself with the most amazing people possible? Whether you're in Greek Life or not, by the time you graduate, you will have found people that you not only consider friends, but family.
High school was a weird time, if we're being honest. Although you see the same people every day of the week, the friend group you hang out with is very likely to change dramatically throughout the course of the year. Having every day of your life on a consistent schedule allows you to get used your surroundings very easily.
College is a whole new world. Besides the work, stress and brand new environment, you are now exposed to types of people you've never been around before. More opportunities arise during this time of your life than you could ever imagine. High school is usually one of the least diverse places in your teenage years, so moving away is definitely a wake up call. Any college you find yourself at, whether it's close to home or on the other side of the country, will bring you around types of people you've probably never met. Not saying this is a bad thing- I think it's great to expand past your comfort zone and meet people that you wouldn't normally seek out.
TMI is no longer a concept that exists. The amount of time spent with these new friends will force you to learn things about them that you definitely could have gone the rest of your life without knowing. But these facts and stories will only cause your connection to flourish and allow you to confide in each other. Finding friends that will not judge you, even at your lowest and most vulnerable points, will be the highlight of your college career.
It's so important to find the people who inspire you to be a better person on the inside and out. When you spend most of your time with a certain person, their personality, mannerisms and even accent can rub off on you. Your true friends will push you to be a better person because they know what you're capable of and aren't afraid to be honest about what they think you need to hear. My friends are my family away from home and I couldn't be happier with every single person who has influenced my life, good or bad, in the past two years.
Regardless of what clubs or teams you are involved with, every person you come in contact with will play a role in your life, whether you are aware of it or not. Making those special connections that will last well past your college years will fulfill your life in ways that are indescribable.
