College is the opportunity of a lifetime for every student to branch out and surround themselves with people who share their same values and interests. The four years spent living on campus, swiping a student ID for every meal in the dining hall and living with a roommate, is the best chance to meet new people and make new friends. While it is important to immerse yourself in this environment, however, you cannot forget to stay in touch with your friends from home.

It is very easy to lose touch with your childhood friends while you are away at school. You are each in a different place, doing different things and having different experiences. Unlike high school, you cannot casually meet up for lunch or drive down the street to their house. Tasks as simple as going on FaceTime together can be difficult because you often end up having opposite schedules.

Many people claim that the reason they do not talk to their childhood friends anymore is because they grew apart. That is the case for some, but not everyone. There is a huge difference between growing apart from people and ignoring them. The odds are that your true friends are here for the long haul, so it is up to you to make sure you make time to stop in for a visit and update each other on what is going on in your lives.

I catch myself talking about my friends from home constantly when I'm away at college. Of course, there are days when I'm so caught up in my busy schedule that I forget to call or text, and it makes me feel extremely guilty. I just do my best to be there for them when they need me because they are always there for me.

Although your friendship's transition from high school days to college years may be challenging, it is not worth giving up. Realizing that you are hundreds of miles away from the people you used to spend every day with is scary, but your friends from home are the ones who have been with you the longest. They know your secrets and understand your problems better than anyone. They know your best stories before you even start to tell them because they were by your side when they happened.

Plus, you're going to want them aound when you come home. No one wants to spend their entire winter break or summer vacation sitting alone on the couch. They are your adventure seekers and concert buddies for life!

If you are still wondering whether or not it is worth it to maintain your friendships with those from home while you are making dozens of new friends in college, just remember that you would not be the person you are today without the people you grew up with.