After graduating high school, the thought of moving away to college can seem very intimidating to some. You're being thrown into "the real world," where you're actually expected to pay bills and hold yourself accountable, and your parents aren't always right behind you to fall back on. Whether your college is in your hometown, half an hour away, or even out of state, moving away can be a stressful, anxious, eye-opening time, even if you believe you're ready for it.

Freshman year has been given a negative connotation as a result of media portrayals and high school experiences. Basically, you feel as though you're the "fresh meat" on campus, intimidated by everyone who knows more, does more, and belongs more than you do. You don't realize how lonely you can feel on such a big campus.

That is, until you meet them.

The friends you meet in college are irreplacable. Words cannot fully express how much they will mean to you. They came into your life by coincidence, through fraternities and sororities, organizations, or your 8 A.M. biology lab, yet you can't imagine having not met them. When summer comes, your heart just aches at the thought of being away from such a gang for two and a half months.

So, without further ado, to the friends who have made my college experience thus far the most incredible time of my life to date: thank you. It wouldn't have been nearly what it has been without you, so this one is for all of you.

You were there through the all-nighters that had to be pulled in order to finish pomping for Homecoming and Greek Jam on time. I may have taken a "break" that turned into a nap once or twice, but we'll let that slide. You don't get much closer than climbing a giant wooden and chicken wire masterpiece and sticking tissue paper covered in glue (or pancake mix when you get really desperate) for hours upon hours upon hours.

You were there during finals week, when everyone just wanted to beat their head into a wall instead of studying for that cumulative final scheduled for 8 A.M. on a Saturday. We rented out the biggest room we could in the library, blasted rap music, brought a hoard of snacks apiece, and honestly didn't really get much done. But hey, we made memories, and we're all still kicking.

You were there through the darkest times in my life, and didn't leave my side. You went above and beyond to prove your love, dedication, and loyalty to me, and I couldn't forget that even if I wanted to. You were always someone I could come to, no matter what time of day it was or how early any of us had to be awake. I could call and not even have to second guess the fact that I knew someone would answer.

You were there late at night, watching movies until 3 A.M. almost every night. All of us in one six-person residence hall room, with snacks and blankets and terrible Netflix scary movies, just enjoying being around each other. After a long, way-too-busy day of classes and whatever else the day held, it was the perfect way to unwind and let some anxiety lax. Being with all of you was honestly what I looked forward to every night.

I didn't come to college expecting to find ride-or-dies, but I gained an entire group of them, and I owe everything to you.

In high school, I loved the summer because it meant no responsiblities and I had more time to just hang out with my friends. However, in college, almost all of the friends I want to hang out with now are at least two and a half hours away, or even out of state. Now, summer is something I just want to end, so that I can reunite with the people that made me fall in love with college, even if I have to put up with at least fifteen credit hours for it to happen.

I firmly believe that who you create friendships with and the bonds you strengthen in college can make or break your initial college experience. If you distance yourself from others and don't put yourself out there to make friends, it can become a very lonely, stressful time in your life. If you get involved, let your personality blossom, and reach out of that box you tend to put yourself in, you can find some of the people that make your life better just by being around them. I'm definitely thankful to have found some of mine, and I can't wait to see what the next three years have in store.