Before arriving at college, I was constantly reminded of how college is the place where you meet your best friends for life. I remained doubtful, wondering when I would meet them. Now, nearly a year and a half later, I am extremely grateful that I have met my two best friends, who I know will be with me for the long run.

From the time I arrived at college to now, I realize that I have changed drastically as a person, but for the better. I have been open to different people, conversations, and experiences that have made my second year worthwhile. Being in the presence of my two best friends has brought out the best in me. I have gained and learned so much from them, and I would not be the same person without them.

For starter's, I would not be as confident as I am without my two best friends. I have learned that one of the best things in life is to always be honest and direct, especially when there are moments where I need to stand up for myself. In years past, I have always been known as "too nice", and that has led people to take advantage of my niceness. I have always been afraid to make people upset, constantly worrying about what people think about me, and looking towards what I can do to make other people happy. In the midst of this, I forgot that my first priority should be myself.

My two best friends have always reminded me that self-care is our first priority followed by support. Whenever something happens, I can always rely on my two best friends to support me in my decisions. I know that they are confident in the woman I have become, and trust that I will make the right choice. And if I don't, they are the first people to swoop in with supportive advice that points me in the right direction.

A real friend is someone that not only always supports you but also recognizes you at your best. From the ups and downs of the past year, my friends have stuck with me through it all. They always knew that I would come out of all the struggles as a better person. And they have always had the utmost faith that I would get through everything, becoming stronger, more independent, and confident in myself.

My friends are the definition of "girl power", and that is exactly the type of support that I need. Maybe we can thank Ariana Grande or maybe we can thank ourselves, but there are no other people I would rather spend my college days with. Thank you for loving me at my best and for supporting me at my worst. You really are my friends for life, and I am so grateful for all our amazing memories. Here's to many more.