People constantly change. Even when these people are old and they are much more mature, they are bound to change in some way or another.

Through this past year, I've learned with all of these new experiences that college has brought to me, it's okay for people to change. This shouldn't be looked at as a bad thing but a sign of someone growing. Their change might be for the good and it also might be for the worse.

Going home, I've noticed that I'm not the only one that changes. My friends that have gone to different colleges have also changed. Whether it be their physical appearances or just their interests. I used to have this hope and this expectation that, when I went home for the weekend, my friends would be the same person they were when they graduated with me. I remember I was shocked and for some part, I was angry that they had changed. I was afraid that our friendship would eventually become nonexistent.

It wasn't until later, that I had to learn to accept their change and come to terms that some of the friendships that I had in high school would not last and would not survive.

Understanding that change is a good thing, is what comes with the college experience. That's something that kind of goes unsaid when being explained on what to expect when going to college. It's hard and at first, you don't want to accept it.

You need to realize that not only other people change but you change as well. Your friends are probably having to deal with that and try and understand that you're changing as well.

Not every college is the same and your friends are giong to experience different things than you. That's okay. Don't look at this as a bad thing but try and think about this positively. They, and you, are growing into better, more mature people. Don't think that you and your friends need to stay the same 18 year olds that you were. There comes a time in your freshman year, you need to realize that growing and becoming different people, is all apart of the process.

Some friendships will survive, and some won't. If they don't, understand that that's okay. You didn't do anything wrong and neither did they. Sometimes, everything happens the way its supposed to.

Much Love Always. -Addison.