One of the exciting parts about college is the chance to start over and make new friends. Between all your new classes, sorority recruitment, joining clubs, or internships, it's easy to get caught up in the hype of it all. Meeting new people is inevitable and it's important to do so if you want to make the most of your college experience. But it wasn't until I got to college that I realized how important it was to keep those old friends close.

Everyone goes to college with the intention to meet new friends, and you should do just that! But that doesn't mean you should necessarily dismiss your old ones. Your old friends are the ones who really know you. They know what you've been through, how you function, your family life, your favorite things and hobbies, and have seen you in your best and worst times. Through all those tears and laughs, you created unforgettable memories and unforgettable bonds. So why give up on them? I say just continue to expand on them. Moving on in college is all part of the process and everyone wants to expand on their friend groups and social circles. Don't go a certain sorority just because your best friend from high school does... don't even pick a certain college for that reason! Your best friends will always come back to you. Even when you spend weeks or months apart making new memories without each other. A good friend will be there the second you want them to be.

Once you start to make new friends, you'll notice your old friendships fading. You'll exclude them and they'll exclude you. And when they make plans without you, it doesn't mean they're necessarily giving up on you. It's natural for people to go their separate ways and it's natural for some to stick together. And if you're the odd man out, don't think that it's because they're necessarily trying to get rid of you. They just moved on, and you will, too. Sometimes a boyfriend comes into the picture and you seem to get weened out. They might bind together because they just assume you're busy or uninterested. Half of the time, they might want you to make the effort to hang out with them. Others, it genuinely just doesn't cross their minds, and that's okay. It doesn't mean they don't still consider you a friend! And if you need them, they'll still be there. Whether if it's for a shoulder to cry on at a funeral or if you just need help picking out an outfit. Keeping those friends around provides a safe place for you when college becomes too much to handle. If you get overwhelmed, it's nice to have a familiar face to turn to for reassurance.

I went to a very large all girls' private high school. Out of the 247 I graduated with, there are a select few who will always stick with me. We fought, we cried, we even hated each other at different points in time. But we always managed to come back to each other in the end because ultimately, we love each other. Some friendships aren't meant to last forever. But for the ones that are, hold on to them. Just keep in touch. A few people from your friend group will stray. You might even be that person. But never loose sight of those memories and friendships because they are the ones that helped shaped you into the person you are today.