For me, college meant starting fresh: new school, new people, a new side of the country. I left everything I knew behind and I started over. When you can count the number of familiar faces you see, on one hand, a number of new people approaching you can become overwhelming.
The first week of school, I met a ton of interesting people that I thought would stick around. Truth is, I haven't seen most of them since.
The second week of school, while there was slightly less pressure to make new friends, I still noticed people trying to force friendships- starting a conversation over a meal or in the middle of laundry. Nothing about those interactions felt natural.
By the third week of school, I joined more organizations, met people through common interests, and started making plans with the people I truly wanted to spend time with.
Many, like myself, struggle with understanding when someone is a "true" friend, or if they are just popping in for their own benefit. This is an important quality to spot, and by now I'm confident to share the ways I know if I've found a true friend.
