College, a time where everything you once knew about yourself is up for debate. For many, it is the first time ever in which you are not being supervised or feel obligated to keep up appearances. This is a very experimental time of our lives, it provides us with the opportunity to explore different hobbies, appearances and or lifestyles.

But one thing that is very important in this whole process of self-discovery, is to remember who you once were. Whether it be who you are now, or if you are an entirely different person; remember where you come from and who you used to be is a vital component of growing as an individual.

The beauty of maintaining friendships with those who once knew you is that they keep you grounded. I have just finished my first semester in college and I have changed a lot in this very short period of time, but I have these two extremely close friends that I have stayed in contact with, and it never fails that they bring me back to myself.

What I mean by that is; living in an environment with new people and a new lifestyle, it is easy to get lost while exploring all of these new things. But my friends from home constantly highlight my unshakable will to "dome".

My two rocks are a very close friend I made my senior year of high school that I consider to be a best friend and my best friend of fourteen years that has become family. They don't know each other, but they both know me... VERY WELL. They are very familiar with my free spirit and impulsive decision making and remind me that although I feel powerful and untouchable, I need to calm down. I get high off of being spontaneous and adventurous, and my friends from college support that, but my friends from home know the dangers of it.

I am very lucky to have met such amazing people in college that I can see myself being friends with for a very long time but in this developmental chapter of my being... No one knows me like my friends from home. I have yet to endure trying times in college, therefore I don't know who is truly down for me and who isn't. For the time being, I know who my ride or die friends are; and although there aren't many, the depth of their love and loyalty is more than enough to satiate the standards of meaningful friendship.