"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is they can grow separately without growing apart."
Nineteen years in the same town with a majority of the same people, going to the same small private school with a graduation class of one hundred nine students, and being surrounded by the friends since birth. Graduating from high school and coming to college became a bit of a culture shock for this small town gal. There will be times you feel alone. You can't see your childhood friends all the time now. The different faces, new people in all classes, and new friends can be overwhelming. If you're anything like me, your heart broke a little bit when the friends you graduated with were no longer around or really in contact with one another anymore.
Some friendships last while others fade away. Don't get discouraged though, God will bring so many amazing friendships into your life as you make your transition. A lot of the friendships you make within the next year in college will most likely be lifelong. The best part about making these new friends is you have a TON of people to choose from. Here are some positives of making new friends in college:
1. You find friends that value your morals
Throughout college you WILL meet new people. There will be people from different cities, states, and even countries. Getting involved in student activities that hold your same values and morals help to make the friends that hold your same morals. They are there to encourage you and live with you!
2. They can bring out different qualities in you
In high school, sometimes you have to be a bit timid about who you are because you may be judged. Not here though, these are your true friends. They accept you for who you are and let you be who you want to be! They bring out the best in you and you bring out their best. My friend group has definitely helped me to really embrace my goofy side and embrace my true beauty.
3. These are the people to help you get through tough times
That stupid class has gotten you again, that boy continues to play with your heart and break it every time, rough things are happening back home that you can't be there for or help with. The friends you've been surrounded with will be there with you. They are there to eat ice-cream with you, watch hours of Netflix, cry with you, or dance to Disney music in the living room after a long rough day. They get it or at least they try to get it. They will be there in a heartbeat for you.
4. These are the friends that you get to be super real with
When you transition from home to college, your friends obviously change and so do you. There's a big gap for vulnerability because you are now in a place where you hardly know anyone and you have to make yourself known all over again. These friends will accept you for who you are and they will be there to be super real with you. The deepest secrets of your life will most likely be shared with them in a short amount of time, but also be careful who you trust. In some cases they could become your best
5. They make college your home away from home
There will be days when you wish you could go home. You'll miss your parents, your friends back home, and most of all your dog. There will be moments you think you can't do it anymore, but your friends here at college will make this feel like a new home. When you go to your actual home, it will honestly feel weird because the friends you have made aren't there with you. College will begin to feel like home because of these friends.
Remember, these friends will most likely be the ones you have forever. Enjoy these moments together because you never know when someone might have to move away.
