Now that we're three weeks into college, I feel an obligation to point out something I thought to be fairly obvious— a fundamental aspect of college is meeting new people. When I originally moved into my dorm, nothing thrilled or terrified me more than the idea of a fresh start. I'd be starting with a clean slate, and so would everyone else.

Yeah, right.

What I failed to realize about attending my state university was that many people were actually coming into college with a whole friend groups dedicated to staying webbed together in their on-campus lives. I shouldn't be so surprised. Plenty of people from my high school attend my same university, and it's by pure coincidence that they aren't from my past friend group.

However, it always seemed to me that college was defined by the word "new." New classes, new professors, new campus, new friends. I'd been led to believe that these were the key elements of college, and it shocked me when many did not abide by them. Instead of seeking out new experiences with hallmates, many of my newfound acquaintances clung to their old circles of friends. My fellow Centennial High alums sought each other out, even if they hadn't known each other in years previous. Every time I tried to break into a group, I realized that there was no room for someone new.

So here is where I come to my point. Fellow college freshmen, please don't push out the newness of college. I realize it can be difficult to reach out of your comfort zone. The bubble of high school friends gives you an identity, it makes you feel like you know who you are and how to act, and therein lies the issue. College is specifically designed for us to find out who we are and who we want to be, and living in a past identity actually bars you from creating a new one. The bubble of high school friends is just that, a bubble, and it prevents you from interacting with people who may not share the same experiences.

The problem doesn't solely lie in avoiding seeking out the new. If you are sticking to the same group, you're not only denying yourself the opportunity to meet someone from a different background than yourself; you also deny others the chance to interact with both you and your friends. No one wants to merge into a group where everybody knows everybody and has for four years. You're awesome, so let others find that out.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that meeting new people doesn't mean letting go of the old ones. Your high school friends will be there tomorrow, but when you skip out on bonding with your hall or classmates, you're missing out on a valuable college experience that could last you a lifetime. No one knows anyone right now, so it's okay to be a little vulnerable. These next four years are yours to shape, so start out with a fresh and solid foundation.