Going to college and keeping up with friends from home sounds like it would be an easy task, but it really isn't. Not only are you and your friends from home at different schools, but you're also on different schedules, taking classes, and have tons of homework and studying to do as well. Even though it's hard, it's still so important to keep in touch with those friends that you don't want to lose. Here is a list of reasons why staying in touch with your home friends are so important.

1. You grew up with them

Your friends from home were the ones you spent your life with before starting a new chapter in your life. It could be easy to forget some of the memories that you made with them once you get to college and begin to make new memories with new people. Don't forget that your friends from home were the ones you started with, and the ones you always said you'd end with.

2. You'll be home for the summer

Even though you may not see your home friends during the year, all of you will be home together in the summer. Host a bonfire or invite everyone out to dinner because starting the trend to hangout right away will make you and your friends forget that you ever left each other for college in the first place.

3. They're close

Depending on where you go to college, most likely your friends from school will live over an hour away from you. Yeah, it may be worth the drive to see them, but you can't go on a quick late night ice cream run with someone who lives an hour away.

4. They're some of your closest friends

Don't get me wrong, some of my absolute best friends are the ones I made in college so far, but the friends that I have at home are too. Having a whole new group of friends can accidentally trump what you share with your friends from home, so pay attention to that and try to find a balance with both.

5. They'll always have your back

Your friends from home will always be there when you're on break from college, or if you're feeling a little home sick, or just if you need to see a friendly face. These could be family friends, the people you went to school with, camp friends, and more. You shared so much of your life with them, and they feel the same way.

Keeping these relationships with your home friends is something that requires a little more effort, but is all worth it in the end. Having those friends to come home to after you haven't seen them in a while is such a good feeling, and it will feel like none of you ever left to begin with. I encourage everyone to try and maintain their relationships with their home friends while away at college and take advantage of having them home while you're there.