I attended a relatively small private school in Atlanta for 14 years. I graduated with a class of 159 people, and I knew the names of everyone and was at least acquaintances with the majority of my class. Growing up in that small, close-knit environment had me terrified to come to college, especially such a large school like Michigan. With an entering freshman class hovering around 6,000, and an undergraduate student body of about 29,000, Michigan is undeniably a large university. I was so, so scared that I wouldn't be able to make friends easily and that I would spend four years being just a number, floating through life with acquaintances but no real friendships.

I couldn't have been more wrong. Beginning at orientation in July, I made connections with some of the most amazing, kind, and downright hilarious people I've ever met in my life. Though common wisdom is that you'll likely never see the people you meet at orientation again, it couldn't be further from the truth for me. I met one of my closest friends at orientation, and we're essentially inseparable now. She's living just down the hall from me next year, and I know we'll be in and out of each other's rooms constantly.

Even though we'd met at orientation, I wasn't totally sure the friendship would last once the semester started at the end of August. However, on the very first night, we happened to run into each other outside the dining hall and our tight-knit friendship started back up immediately. Seeing her face and feeling our friendship connection made the transition into college so much easier, because I knew I already had someone that would be there for me through everything.

We later met our other best friend, who I refer to almost solely by her male middle name (it's a long story and one that never fails to make me laugh,) and the three of us have spent countless hours together. I love them both like sisters, and I know they love me just the same.

To my incredible friends:

Thank you. Thank you for our belly-aching laughs, never-ending shenanigans, and endless adventures together. Thank you for always being there for me no matter what I'm going through. I love you both so very much and I can't wait for the next three and a half years together.

To anyone out there scared of coming to college, I get it. It's scary as all hell. But I promise, and you can hold me to this, that you will make friends. You will. And they'll be some of the best friends you've ever had.