On freshman move-in day at the University of Kentucky, I was filled with anxiety and nerves. Not only would I be living in a completely different city for 9 months out of the year, but I would also be starting an entirely new life in Lexington. More importantly, I was mine on my own.

I was lucky enough to be attending the same college as my twin sister, but aside from each other and a few close friends from high school, life was brand new at UK. Though many first-year students were feeling the exact same way, the feeling was unfamiliar to me. I attended the same high school as many of my elementary school friends and never had to worry about who I was going to sit with at lunch or walk to classes with. But this time, the situation had changed. I would be walking to classes on my own (while struggling to find them) and sitting with strangers whom I would eventually call some of my best friends. I was okay with stepping outside of my comfort zone, which proved to be successful during my first week.

I never let my comfort zone get the best of me, and that is what made my first semester so great.

When going through the sorority recruitment process, I met several girls in my residence hall who became some of my first new friends on campus. I was ecstatic to have friends to rely on and say hi to when walking around campus. As time progressed and I settled into my classes, I formed friendships with the people I sat next to and even got lunch with them every other day. I was beginning to feel more confident in myself as I realized that college was not as intimidating as I believed, especially with friends by my side.

Though I still love to see my friends in my residence hall and classes, the people who have impacted me the most at UK are the girls I have met through my sorority. These girls have made me feel welcome in a place I did not originally call home, but provide me with the same comfort I feel when in Louisville. To me, they have been my study partners, shoulders to cry on, monthly dinner dates, and so much more.

Most importantly, these girls are my sisters.

I feel incredibly grateful to have found a group of people who accept me for who I am. Each and every one of us is different, and that is what makes us all unique. Not every day in college has been easy, but I know I have my closest friends to turn to when life gets hard. Finding these friends in college has provided me with the realization that when one door closes, another door opens. Leaving my high school best friends for college was one of the hardest things I had to do because they were the ones who already knew everything about me. I knew I did not have to change for them. I still hang on to those friends because they have been there through it all and they will always be my home. With the friends I have made in college, they are my constant reminder that you can find your home even from far away.

They become the family you didn't know you were missing.

Never miss an opportunity to make new friends. There is never any harm in adding someone else to your circle of people that you love, trust, and care about. It is important that, as college students, we be inclusive, compassionate, and open-minded. Use an open mind to step outside of your comfort zone and meet new people. They may very well end up being your people for life.