When I went to college, I thought I would have to become someone else so that I would get along with my roommates. When I went to my first class, I thought I needed to act smarter than I was in order to make friends or find a study group. When I first joined a sorority, I was afraid that I would have to be someone else in order for the other girls to like me.

Oh, how wrong I was.

My roommates (eventually) learned to love me for all my crazy. I found my study group, and even made friends in my classes. I was blessed with a Big who would do anything for me, and sisters who will laugh with me. However, I wouldn’t be blessed with these amazing people in my life if I had tried to be someone else. As it turns out, being who I am led me to people who will be my friends long after we graduate college.

So, here’s my advice to everyone. Be you. People who love you will somehow find a way into your life, and they are much more likely to stay if you are genuinely being yourself. Sure, being someone you’re not will introduce you to people, but how long can a lie last?

I don’t know why I was so concerned about it when I started college, especially because I found people who loved me for me while I was in high school. It might have been because everything is so new, and I thought I needed to be a newer version of myself. College is a great time to really figure out what you want from life, and what you truly love to do, but you can’t figure those things out if you’re trying to live someone else’s life. College is a really good opportunity to shake off all the old things you believe you weren’t good enough at, and find all those things you are truly incredible at.

You might be thinking you don’t have clear enough skin or perfect hair, but you don’t need to have those things. You might think you aren’t funny enough or smart enough for the group of people you want to be friends with, but you are. You might think you don’t fit the stereotype of the club or organization you want to join, but, first and foremost, it’s a stereotype, so it’s probably wrong and completely unrealistic. Secondly, it’s good to be different. In fact, it’s better to be different.

Find those people who love your differences, who support you in your endeavors to become better, and who see you for all the good things that you are.

Yes, it’s a little scary to put yourself out there, and there is the chance that someone might not become your best friend. In all reality, have you hit it off with every person you’ve met? You will get let down and you won’t be friends with everyone, but you will find those who love YOU.