My biggest fear when heading off to college was losing my high school friends and not making any new ones. I prayed about it all summer and for the majority of my first semester. I was so scared that no one would replace my high school friends and I would spend my college years feeling lonely and empty.
Little did I know, God had something big waiting for me at Ole Miss. Almost immediately after moving in, I started to meet amazing girls that I just instantly clicked with. I am so overjoyed with the relationships I have built this year and am so thankful that I have the friends that I do.
Throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years, I had three best friends that stuck by my side through everything. They were the most amazing girls and really carried me through life. Don’t get me wrong, we’re still friends and talk almost everyday, but it’s totally different since they no longer live down the road. They’ll always hold a special place in my heart and will always be my best friends, but I’m no longer worried that I won’t find new friends as well.
The crazy thing about those high schools friends was that I never even asked for them. I had met them when I was 5 years old and didn't even know what friendship was. I had made these friends at such a young age that I didn't know how to start new friendships. I continued to pray about this. new chapter and ask God to help me find some amazing people in college.
College is totally different than high school in so many ways. Girls live right next door and you can literally spend 20 hours a day together without even realizing it. It is so easy for relationships to form so quickly and in the past weeks, I realized how easy is it for them to strengthen in such a short amount of time.
I recently spent a week with some of my college friends at the beach and I realized how lucky I am. I had spent all this time worrying about not making friends and God took those worries in his hands and provided me with some of the strongest friendships I have ever had. These girls made me realize how attending Ole Miss was truly the best decision of my life and it made me so excited thinking about how these girls are my friends for life.
I have also recently learned how important truly intentional friendships are. My friends have dropped everything to help me out of uncomfortable situations or sat in my room while I cried to them over some of the stupidest things. They know how I’m feeling without me having to say anything and the genuinely care about my well-being. It often occurs to me how I didn’t know any of these girls until September, and they are already so important to me.
I never understood college friendships and thought it was so weird how people’s best friends came in such a short time. I guess you can’t explain it until you’re in the situation and have actually made those lifelong friendships for yourself. I really do see my bridesmaids as I walk through campus and I just thank God every single day for putting each of my friends in my life and answering all of my prayers.
College is hard. College is scary. But college provides the most amazing opportunities and gives you the chance to meet so many incredible people. I am forever thankful for Ole Miss and the friendships I have gained from this incredible school. My prayers have truly been answered this year and God has handed me some of the most amazing people in the world.
Sheetal Tadiparty
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