I knew 15 people when I transferred to OU.

This was a really tough reality for me, and it was hard to come to terms with that fact. It was also really strange to me that I was a very old transfer student coming into school, being 22 and just starting at a university, finding that support seemed impossible. I wouldn't have any classes with people my age but I was extremely hopeful that I would find a group of people who loved and accepted me without fail.

It took a while to find my people. When I did everything changed.

Last spring I met some people who would ultimately become some of my favorite people at OU, I met my roommate I have now, I had a group of people from a range of classes that supported and loved me, and I met the people who ultimately made my experience at OU better in all ways.

Meeting your people in college is like creating a family that you have never had before, you see people at their worst, you celebrate with people when they succeed, you get to really find out who you are and how you see the world. The people you meet in college can help you figure out what you love and what you don't love.

Your people in college are vital because they help you grow into the woman or man that you're supposed to be. You don't necessarily realize it at the time, but your friends you make now are the friends that will be around for a lifetime. The people you surround yourself with truly are the people who will influence how you become who you are. The people who make you laugh, love life, who make you cry happy tears, who are proud of who you are just as much as you're proud of them is the most uplifting part of college. Well, other than graduating.

Finding the people who are willing to support you is vital because you actually REALLY need it!

The people who are willing to support you are the people who aspire to sit with you at graduation, who want to give you a crisp high five after you get a great grade on a paper you worked hard on, and who want to see you at your best. Your support system helps you feel better on bad mental health days, they help you get through a really tough week with multiple exams, and they are your family.

Having a sense of family among friends is an amazing feeling, and having those friends with you in college makes it even better because you really feel at home no matter what. Your family might change over time, but they will always be there for you and they will make sure to be rooting for you every day.

Boomer,

Miranda