Since moving to college, it seems as though life feels the need to just consistently remind me that growing apart from people isn’t something that doesn’t happen. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started to really think about what’s going on in my life and sincerely question what the hell I’m even doing. Fortunately, for every time that I’ve thought that, there’s been at least 10 times that I thought “wow, I’m so lucky for the people in my life right now, my college friends are the bomb diggity, man.” Now, I’m not saying that high school friends aren’t great because we all need people who knew us before we reached this point in our life but you really can’t replace the friends that you make in college.

1. They obviously can’t get rid of you

You have 3 of the same classes and you’re their only study buddy for Spanish. You also like 2 doors down in the same dorm so it’s not like you’re going to stop seeing them.

2. You will always be their number one

Because you live down the hall, there’s nothing stopping you from walking in their constantly unlocked door and crawling in bed with them… Even if their boyfriend is already there. Also, if they’re a really great friend, they might even skip class for you.

3. They’ve seen you at your worst and they still love you

If you say that you haven’t had a mental breakdown yet this year, you’re lying. They were there for you last Thursday night when you might have gone a little too hard. They were there when you were staining your pillowcases with cheap mascara. They were there for you when you ate 6 cheeseburgers because you eat when you’re stressed. I can promise you, they love your mess.

4. They’re like another parent, only one that condones poor decision making

They’ll straight up tell you when you’re being crazy, while also telling you what to send in the next message, that happens to be the 4^th one in a row that you’ve sent. They’ll be the one to drive you to Taco Bell, but they’ll also be the one motivating you to go to the gym after you finish your meal. They’ll tell you that because you’re in college, you’re allowed to make bad choices, but they won’t ever let you make a decision that’s gonna ruin your life.

5. They’re the first ones to offer you money for your study materials from last semester

They’ll be more than happy to literally buy the homework assignments, papers, and books that you are going to use anymore, but pretty much only if they get the best friend discount

6. They’ll pay for your Starbucks when you forget your student ID in your dorm room.

Thank God, they’re not going to make you run all the way back across campus because since you hurriedly rushed out of your room this morning, you left your ID laying on your desk, next to the leftover Starbs cup from your late night study sesh.

Long story short, your college friends are going to be there for you, even when it feels like the entire world is against you. I’m so incredibly thankful to have my college friends. So with that being said, I feel like I should mention Barissa, Mikaela, Carlie, Lexi, Jelly, Julia, Zach, and Mattie because y’all have kept me sane for the last few months and you won’t ever know how much I appreciate having you in my life.