Throughout high school, I always wondered how my life would look once I was in college. Would the classes be difficult? Which clubs would I get involved in? Who would I be friends with?

As my first year of college comes to an end, I can't help but look back on all of the amazing people who I've met over the past few months. So many things have changed ever since I arrived at college and I wouldn't have been able to stay sane without my friends. College is the time in your life when you make memories that last a lifetime. It is also the time when you meet the people who will stay with you for a lifetime. From feeling homesick to bad test grades and everything in between, there's nothing better than having a consistent support system to pick you up when life knocks you down.

When I was a senior in high school, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to find friends in college with my quirky sense of humor and slightly awkward personality. I listened to my best friend (who is a year older than me) as she told me that making friends in college is far different from making friends in high school. She said that, in college, it is easier to make friends who accept you and love you for who you are. Now that I have almost completed my freshman year, I can happily agree with her.

The perks of having a close group of friends are endless. You can let your freak flag fly and be your organic, honest self without judgment. Your true friends don't criticize you for being yourself. In fact, they encourage you to be this way. After four years of high school, where being yourself is considered taboo, it's refreshing to meet people who want to know the real you.

Whether you need a buddy to accompany you to the dining hall or you just need a shoulder to cry on, somebody will be there. Your crew is always going to be there when you need them. Whatever you are struggling with, your friends will be there to support you through it. Did you just bomb a test? Are you feeling under the weather? Do you have a broken heart? Are you missing home? Surround yourself with loving, encouraging people and you will see that life is much better when you live it with others. That's the bottom line. You are not alone.

So, now, I'd like to say the biggest thank you to my friends who have become more like family to me.

Thank you for easing my mind when I'm scared. Thank you for drying my tears when I'm sad. Thank you for making me laugh when I'm feeling down. Thank you for encouraging me to follow my dreams. Most importantly, thank you for the memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.