The summer before you go away to college is when the real world starts to get, well, real. You’ve come to the realization that your life is starting to change, schedules conflict, financial aid paperwork takes up so much of your time, and making plans to say goodbye is starting to become a regular occurrence. However, even though life is hectic and you’re stressed to the max, one thing will always remain constant. The friends you’ve made.

I have so many memories of my friends making me laugh until I can’t breathe. Giving me expert advice whenever I needed it most. Always having my back no matter what the situation. Going on crazy adventures, lending me a shoulder to cry on, and supporting me through good times and bad. Although college is rough on long distance relationships of any sort, the true friends you have from back home can outlast that distance and beat the odds. One of the things I look forward to most over break is reuniting with my friends, swapping frat party stories, hearing about new girlfriends or boyfriends, stressing over final grades together, and just seeing them genuinely happy with where they’re at.

I have been told that you make your true and best friends in college, and that high school friends soon fade after your first year away. So far, I’ve made great friends at school, but none who compare to the people who know the real me from back home. I’m proud to say that my group of friends from senior year of high school is just as strong as we were walking the halls a few months ago. I’m excited to see where my future takes me, but even more excited to share it with my friends.