Cramming for finals until 5 a.m., missing home, dealing with heartbreak, a family tragedy. How would we get through any of it without our friends?

Until I came to college, I didn't know people like my friends existed. High school was rough. Coming into college, My parents kept reassuring me it was all going to be OK, and these would be the best four years of my life. I honestly thought they were crazy. I mean, how could going to a school where I didn't know anybody be the best four years of my life?

As always, they were right. Finding these girls not only made me realize what I deserve out of someone who I call a friend but what everyone deserves out of friendships.

For so long throughout High School, I struggled with self-confidence. I was scared to be judged, to be talked about behind my back, and dealt with plenty of fake friends. But through it all, and now finding my friends in college, I've learned one important thing.

In this World, all we really want is to be loved, desired and cared about, and when you find friends who give you that, don't let them go.

When I did find friends like this, it was shocking to me. People could be there for you without any obligation? They genuinely cared about how you are doing and what's going on in your life?

They are there to listen to you rant about your annoying teachers, the tests you fail, to get ice cream with you at midnight when you are sad, and most importantly, they're your people. I wouldn't want to gain late-night McDonald's weight with anyone else.

I know the friendships I've made in college will last a lifetime. They will be my bridesmaids when the time comes, friends who come back every football season for a game to see Alabama beat whatever team they are playing that weekend, they are forever friends.

I encourage you to look around at you and your friends, and if they are forever friends like mine, thank them for all they do. It's not always easy, there are times you get annoyed with each other, bicker, and sometimes need your alone time. But they love you. They support you. They are there for you. That's what matters.

Maybe you haven't found your forever people, but don't stop trying and finding them because of that. Keep searching, keep putting yourself out there, and keep making connections. Because when you do, you will finally realize. Life's too short to have fake friends.