Freshman year in college, for many, is a transformative experience. The prospect of starting fresh- being in a place where no one knows your name, your story, and your mistakes can invoke feelings of intense liberation.

In my short time at NYU, I have already found that it can be very easy to get carried away and neglect your self in the process of making new friends.

Losing your sense of self is perpetuated by the stereotypical NYU kid- usually have the artsy, edgy, rich kids who dress well and discuss existential literature too much and are convinced that Arcade Fire is the voice of our generation.

You don’t have to subscribe to the concept of the person you should be. If you don’t want to wear high waisted boyfriend jeans and don’t listen to Kendrick, so what? Find what makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Don't pretend to like things in the interest of making new friends, these relationships won't last.

Although NYU students pride themselves on being different, conformity still exists.It creates a self-fulfilling prophecy- whatever archetypal starter pack you see yourself fitting in is where your interests fall, even if it may not be where your true interests lie.You don’t have to subscribe to acting, thinking, dressing, or being a certain way.

You can listen to trap music and the New York Philharmonic, and you don’t have to say that you like reading absurdist philosophy for fun (no one actually does and we’re all lying to ourselves).

We’re all trying to reinvent ourselves, and a big part of this is just finding a new group of friends to vibe with. Truthfully, not everyone is one the same wavelength. If you don’t vibe with someone, don't feel the need to prolong the relationship. You will constantly be meeting new people, and there’s no reason to dwell on lackluster friendships.

Look for your people, because I’m sure you will be able to find them. There are 8.4 million people on our tiny island, and you don’t have time to dwell on one who doesn’t fulfill you as a person.

Along with finding friends, make sure to find time to be alone with yourself and with your thoughts. Its totally fine to get food alone, or just sit in the park and watch people pass by.

But don’t worry about not having your squad just yet- everything comes naturally and when it should. Going through rough patches is essential to growth as a human being- without some struggle, nothing would be fulfilling. Every great philosopher would agree, but then again you shouldn't have to feel forced to become a metaphysical elitist.