I’ve always struggled with making friends. I’m incredibly socially awkward, so I knew automatically that assimilating into college was going to be a challenge. When it was finally time to make my way to CC for the Bridge Scholars Program, I was completely terrified. On top of the stress from coming into college, I got to campus late because I was at my grandpa’s funeral. Walking into class an hour after it started set a bad impression with my classmates. I was ready to just go to my dorm room and cry.

That’s not what happened, though, as my classmates intervened. I was immediately welcomed. Not in a “Yeah, I should probably introduce myself to the new girl” sort of way, but in an “I’m genuinely interested in talking to you” manner. I've spent so much time with these people, inside class and out. We slept over at our mentor’s dorm and had heart to hearts. I connected with these people like I had never connected with people in my life (minus my best friend). I felt it even more recently when I was having trouble with a now-ex-boyfriend. I struggled with ending things because I was convinced that I just needed to be happy with what I had, no matter how bad it was.

My friends made me realize that I deserve better, even though I don’t quite understand it yet. I have very low self-worth, and these people who have only known me for a couple weeks made me see qualities in myself that I’d never discovered before. They made me understand that I am worth way more than being belittled and emotionally abused. Because of them, I see now that I’m actually a pretty cool person. I have qualities that I should be proud of. Without them being in my corner this past month, I don’t know what I would have done. I stood up for myself because they made me realize that settling for someone that hurts me is not okay. I feel more confident in myself, and I know I have them to thank for it.

When I’m in certain situations, I can see some of the things they’ve pointed out in me. Instead of being self-conscious or embarrassed like I would have been before, I become happy. I’m happy because I’m finally starting to like myself. Friends make you feel better for short periods of time. Real friends make you feel better in the long run. Real friends make you see what that you can’t see. Real friends help you fall in love with who you are, who they bring out in you. I’ve struggled with so much since I got to CC, but I’ve had the absolute best support system here on campus. I’ll never be able to thank them enough for what they’ve done for me. This is the start of what’s going to help me finally accept myself for who I am. This is what friendship really is.