We all have faced the dreaded separation from our friends, especially from high school to college. However, it was even harder for me to say goodbye to my friends who attended college with me last year and aren't here this year.

Whether one of your best friends decided college just wasn't for them, transferred, or in my case, graduated, it doesn't make it any easier. College is where you find your people - the people who stay up all night with you chatting, would drop anything in the world for you, and make you laugh more than you thought possible.

I miss all my friends who aren't here at Ole Miss with me this semester but having a best friend, that was my go-to for everything, graduate has been tough.

After our first week of classes at undergrad/graduate school, we FaceTimed each other, only to realize that it had been a tough week for us both. This year is different; that is inevitable.

We can't just drive over to each other's house when we have had a bad day. We are hours away, and facing that reality stinks. I think that we both realized that we have been trying to find people to fill the void that is felt, since we are apart; however, I also think that we have both come to the conclusion that that is not going to happen.

When your best friend isn't in the same town as you, it is hard. It really is, and there is no other way to put that. You wish they were here for the good days and the bad.

You miss their silly jokes and goofy way of doing things. You miss seeing them every day on campus, and every time a car that looks like theirs, you get your hopes up that it is them.

Enough of the sappiness, though, because that is only one side of things. We could choose to sit and mope around about how different this year is, or we can put our big girl panties on because that is what life is all about.

Life is about making amazing friends, and moving away, and handling whatever life throws at us. Just because your best pal isn't in your town anymore, does not have to mean that they aren't still there.

It does mean that the times you do get to spend with them will be so cherished. The past memories that you share will be something to always look back on.

You have the privilege of knowing that that friend has changed you for the better. No one will ever replace them, but surround yourself with others who love you like they do. Let them set the standard for your friendships.

This year will be different. We will have to open up and learn to let other people in. We will have to tackle some things without our bestie by our side.

But we will have a great year. We will make great memories, and have fun times with our other friends. We will still experience things that shape and mold us. Most importantly, we will still be best friends, because the distance is just a number.