College. A place where you can meet someone one day, and totally forget they exist the next. Where you can go out and party it up on a Friday and the following Sunday be caught awake all night, stress crying at your math homework. A place where you're preparing yourself for the real world, when in reality, you don't even know how to pay your own phone bill. What an odd place it is.
Last year as a freshman in college, I felt lost. I worried about my relationship with my family and with my hometown friends on a daily basis. I had been with the same 500+ people that graduated in my class from pre-K to high school! How was I going to make new friends? Would these strangers like me? Would I have to change how I portrayed my goofy self? After a year of sulking in my worrisome thoughts, I have come to the realization that these friends I have made in college, are some of the best people I have ever met. Here are 10 reasons why your college friends are your best friends:
1. They Are a Clean Slate
Nope, they can't hold it against you that in the 6th grade you played a boy in a musical or how in the 8th grade you ended one of your presentations with a selfie (EW!). They are a fresh start! They only know what you want them to know about yourself and cannot judge you on your past.
2. They Are a Choice
Like I mentioned earlier, during grade school, you are stuck with the same people. With college friends, they are a choice. You do not need to be around the same five people all the time when you go to a school with 60,000 others. How cool is that?
3. They Are Up for Adventure
Want to meet at the Cafe at 11 pm for cereal? Want to go to the trampoline park for a study break? How about buy tickets to Ireland for Spring Break? The answer is always yes. All of you are in the "let's try new things" mindset, which really makes for the best memories.
4. They Are Also The Best People To Just Sit Around With
"Everyone okay with watching Impractical Jokers? I mean we've only seen this one episode about 20 times, but I'll make more popcorn!"
5. You Don't Always Have to be Together
Sure, occasionally you'll still walk to the bathroom together, but you don't always have to be in the same room when you all have free time. Everyone understands this. You have studying that needs to get done, other friends, and a family at home to keep in touch with...Time for yourself or other friends is not a bad thing, people!
6. They Will Always Listen
Most of the time, your college friends are going through the same emotions as you are. Everyone understands being stressed during midterms or finals, homesick after the first month or so, and happy when exciting news comes about. No matter what the random topic is, they will always listen and contribute to the conversation.
7. There are No Boundaries in Your Friendship
They have seen you be successful, doubtful, naked, afraid...They have seen it all. There are no questions too inappropriate and no limitations to what you can and cannot say to each other. My philosophy is that "you are friends when you can openly ask questions, but best friends when you can go into detailed answers."
8. You're Each Others' Biggest Fans
If you were to give a speech on how toenails shouldn't be a thing, the first row would most likely be filled with family and the second, college friends. All of whom are probably holding obnoxiously large fat heads of yourself.
9. They Add to Your Weirdness
Yodeling during stressful times, talking in a lisp when you know you're wrong, dabbing after being done with a conversation... These are just some of the bad habits I have picked up during college (thanks, Kenzie, Sam, Mads, and Lauren).
10. They are Your Second Family
Although some days you may miss home more than others, your college friends will step up and take on the parental role and sibling role as well. They will bear hug you when needed, have a free shoulder when wanted, and remind you of why you are capable of reaching your dreams. Your college friends may never be true family, but you love them very much and do get homesick whenever you're away from them.
To my pals, thank you for being supportive, loving, and for adding to my craziness. I love you all. XOXO.
