College. It was what the majority of students look forward to in high school, but not everyone. I really didn’t enjoy high school. I absolutely hated it. So, I was one of the students who was ready to get out. Of course, I had a countdown until my last class, my last regent and my graduation day. When graduation came and the day flew by, I was so relieved beyond words to finally get out of my high school. College. It was the next big thing in my life.

I had my countdown for the days until college before senior year even ended. Like I said, I was very ready to get out. One thing that became hard was as the day for me to leave approached, my friends' days started to come as well. Saying “see ya later” to who I knew were my true friends was definitely the hardest thing about going to college, except we constantly reassured each other it wasn't a goodbye.

I went to college excited, eager, but knowing it wasn't going to be partying 24/7 or fun and games all the time because I chose to be a nursing major. This was no mistake made by me because I knew nursing was what I wanted. The nursing program that I chose was a very well-known one. I chose a school where they want the best of the best students to be future nurses. Because of this, the first semester was full of rigorous work for me and competition. The school of nursing wanted to weed all the people out they could. It wasn't a shocker, I knew it was going to be this way.

Yes, I was hyped to be at college and I was happy with my decision, but I really did miss my friends. I didn’t talk to them all the time because that just wasn’t realistic. Most of the people I met first semester I don’t really think are or were a real friend to me like I was fortunate to have at home.

The first time I came home from school was Thanksgiving break. I was not able to see all my main friends which did make things difficult. I had to go back without seeing them, but I knew my longggggg winter break was coming.

And then, before I even knew it, finals week hit. As a nursing major, I can definitely say that it is a “hell week” speaking from the perspective of a first-semester freshman. I kept telling myself I just need to get the grades I needed to pass and finish all my exams. Obviously coming home and being able to see all my besties was motivation. We had already begun talking about when we would all get together.

I finished my first semester of college pretty successfully, at least I would say. I passed everything and was pleased with my grades because they most definitely reflected all my hard work in my first fall semester. This made me more excited to be home and see my friends.

When we all got together that night we had planned for weeks, which happens to be a tradition of ours where we do secret Santa, hang, talk and just the usual, I had no words for how happy I was. Finally, I was with people who I knew were my genuine friends and genuinely cared about me.

We all talked about our college experiences, and it was awesome because we were able to just pick up from where we left off the last time we all were together in the summer time.

Some of us had a sleepover and some girls went home. When a couple of my friends began leaving, all at different times, we, of course, gave hugs. This separation from each other was not as hard though because we had a long winter break ahead of us (just what was needed). My one friend made a comment when we were hugging saying something along the lines of, “we are gonna see each other in like a couple days, it isn't like we are going back to school tomorrow!” I still insisted on giving hugs, she did too, all of us did.

I am beyond lucky to be able to have friends, best friends for that matter who are still by my side after high school, while miles away during school, and mostly for dealing with my crazy, stupid, stubborn self.

Thank you guys for teaching me what real friends are versus fake friends. Without you all, I don’t know what I would do. Being able to be home for this long break and having the capability to see you all makes this break more special and other breaks too.

Even though we are going to have to go through not seeing each other again, it is was makes our friendship stronger.

You're not going to meet your best friend from college during your first semester and I had to allow myself to be okay with that. I just kept reminding myself that I do have best friends, just at a different school.

You all showed me what a real friend is and I cannot thank you all enough for that.