Everyone always says "the friends you meet in college will be your friends for life life," and while this can be extremely true, the most crucial part of forming lifelong friendships is to surround yourself with the best people possible. You only have four years (maybe a few more) to find this group of friends that will never leave your side, so it is important to keep these qualities in mind.
1. Friends That Push You.
Heading off to college without your parents means that no one is behind you pushing you to apply for that position you probably won't get or to join that organization where you don't know anyone. You need friends who are going to stand behind you and make you do it even if you don't want to. You will only regret the opportunities you didn't take, so make sure you have someone that will remind you that.
2. Friends That Make You Laugh.
College is going to present a whole new level of stress to you. Between balancing classes, organizations, your health, a social life, work, AND trying to get some sleep, stress is inevitable. Find the friends that keep you laughing and make you forget about everything that is causing you stress. You never want to be TOO serious.
3. Friends That Will Make You Go Out When You Don't Want To.
During the beginning of your college career you are most likely going to be terrified attending your first couple parties. You'll probably be thinking: “I don't know anyone there" “what if I'm awkward?" “It is probably safer if I just stay in." No. Find the friends who are going to help you pick out a great outfit and drag you out on a Friday night, because college is all about meeting new people and learning how to make friends and build relationships. And come on, it is supposed to be the best four years of your life!
4. Friends That Will Make You Stay In When You Have To.
Of course once you get used to how great the party scene is, you are going to want to go out all the time. Find a friend who is going to “ground" you like your parents would when you have a big test or big assignment due the next day. You will thank them later.
5. Friends That Make You Brave.
It is inevitable that you are going to be scared of a lot of things in college. You don't have your parents to run back to, so this is the most essential time in your life to develop courage. You need a friend who is going to reassure your confidence and make you feel like you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.
6. Friends Who Celebrate Your Success.
This one is huge. You are going to achieve A LOT throughout your college career. Some things you never thought you could do. Make sure you have a friend by your side that is going to jump up and down screaming with you when you finally get that internship you've been dreaming of. Don't surround yourself with friends who make you feel guilty for being successful. You should be proud of yourself and so should they.
7. Friends That Will Support You Through Your Failures.
The hardest thing to deal with in college is failure. Whether it be a failed relationship or a failed test, failure is going to really take its toll on you. You need friends by your side that are going to bake you cupcakes when you didn't get the position you wanted or take you out for ice cream after a tough break up. Trust me, you will need it.
8. Friends Who Look At The Glass Half Full.
Ziad K. Abdelnour said it best: “You are only going to be as good as the people you surround yourself with, so be brave enough to let go those who keep weighing you down." Surround yourself with positive people, and positive things will start happening to you. Don't hang around complainers and people who feel sorry for themselves, because it WILL have an effect on you. Find friends that look at the bright side of everything, and you will do the same.
9. Friends Who Make You Never Want To Go Home.
Homesick. It's an emotion that you will feel the entire first month of college. Find friends who make college your home away from home. Start a new family that you can count on who makes you feel like you don't need to drive hours home just to be comforted.
10. Friends Who Won't Judge You.
You will make a lot of mistakes in college. Big mistakes. Many of them, multiple times. Find friends who aren't going to ostracize you the second you mess up, because a lot of people will. Find friends who don't let you feel bad about yourself just because you make a mistake. You need people who believe in you and will stick with you through the toughest of times.
11. Friends That Are Genuinely Selfless.
You want selfless friends for multiple reasons. One being that you are going to need something from them at some point, because that's how a friendship works. Don't have a friend that is going to let you down. Friendship is a two-way street. A second being that selfless people, in turn, make you want to be selfless. It's a butterfly effect and selflessness is one of the best qualities you can have.
12. Finally, Friends Who Make You The Best Version Of Yourself.
There will be many ups and downs throughout your college career and many times you are going to lose sight of WHO you are. Find those friends that will remind you who you are, friends that make you proud of the person you have become, and friends that help you grow into the person you want to be.
