Growing up in a huge family, and being the youngest out of my thirteen first cousins, I was told constantly how college is the best time of your life. I would often hear the phrase "Oh the things we did in college." College truly is such an amazing time, but there are also some, okay A LOT of bumps in the road. It is the first time that you are living on your own, and away from home.
Friends, your best friends that you find in college become your backbone. They experience a lot with you; more than you may have even realized until you are able to reflect back on another year that quickly passes by. They are the ones that become your support system when your parents can no longer physically be there. They are the ones that will stay up all night with you while you cry about your latest breakup, or hit the gym with you to burn off some steam. They tell you that you are smart and calm you down when you think you won’t make it through college, ever find love, or a job.
No matter if you are one hour away, or five, you are still on your own. You will begin to learn some life lessons freshman year, and if you are lucky like me, your roommate freshman year and the people who lived on your door floor become your roommates for the next three years.
Freshman year, GOD knew that I not only needed some true friends but some angels. I was blessed with the best. We have impacted each others' lives in so many amazing ways.
The life lessons that I have learned from my college roommates and best friends will forever shape me into the person that I am meant to become.
1. Your mistakes don't define you.
College is a time when you sometimes make choices or actions that are unlike yourself. Your best friends remind you that it is okay, and that you are going to make mistakes. It is all a learning experience, and they remind you who you are and help get you back on track.
2. You are worth way more than you think.
When that guy or girl you met a couple of weeks ago stops replying to your text messages, or your heart gets crushed, your roommies are there to remind you how great you are and that you deserve the world. They aren't just telling you this so you feel better, they are telling you the truth. You ARE worth way more than you think that you deserve.
3. How to stay or become confident with who you are.
These are the ones who see you at your best and your worst. You are always around them. You are the most comfortable around your girls or your guys and it allows you to be who you truly are. It enables you to get used to being yourself and being confident with the person you are becoming.
4. Best friends stick by you at your very worst.
They don't leave you or befriend you no matter what. Even if you are going through something, and you take your anger out on them, or you cry way too much, they will stick by your side no matter what even when you try to push them away. Thank you for always forgiving me when I said things I didn't mean.
5. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with you.
6. How to stay strong when you think you can't.
They remind you that you are such a strong and independent human being. You will get through the rough patches, and you deserve to take pride during your accomplishments. Even when I've hit rock bottom, they've inspired me to keep persevering and keep on moving forward.
7. How to become unbroken.
After my whole freshman year of feeling like a piece of me was lost and missing forever, my best friends taught me that it is possible to become whole again.
8. How to be selfless.
When I was the first one to turn 21 out of my roommates, I was excited but I couldn't wait to celebrate their birthdays. I get way more excited for them when they ace a test that they spent countless hours studying for, or they start dating a guy who treatsthem right. I will never forget jumping up and down when my best friend told me she got accepted into her major, or the time my eyes were glued to my phone, anxiously awaiting as the time turned from 11:59 pm to 12:00 am on their 21st birthdays.
9. To become the person that you were meant to be.
After being best friends and roommates for three years, they have brought out the best in me. We all help to bring out the best in each other. The ones that you surround yourself with, are the ones that help shape you and lead you onto the path that GOD has planned for you.
I would not be the person that I am today if I never met each and every one of these girls. They are some of the most important people to me, and I love them more than they could ever imagine. I am so blessed to have them as my college roommates.
Thank you for teaching me so much about life, and continuing to make me the luckiest and happiest girl on Earth, to have you guys as my college best friends and roomies.
I love you girls forever and always.
