College: A place where a group of strangers meets that turns out to be a beautiful family in the end.
After three years away at college, I have learned a lot of life lessons. I have tipped my toes into the shallows of adulthood and tempted the waters.
I learned why my mom complains about leaving the dishes in the sink.
I learned to be more open minded and kind.
I learned how to be more independent.
One of the most credible teachings that have stuck with me in college is this:
Some friends – are family.
Honestly, I have grown a lot as a young woman and I am proud of who I am becoming. However, I could not have done it by myself. I thank my family at home for instilling a solid moral compass prior to graduating high school.
My family supports me when I am seeking advice (even when I ignore said advice and while I am paying the consequences to my own actions). I credit them for being so understanding. When I moved away from home, I was stubborn with the intention of learning my life’s lessons by myself.
Getting older, you grow alongside some friends and grow apart from others.
Adults warn us that we won’t marry our high-school sweethearts and that our oldest friend won’t always be our best. Some beat the odds and that is great. Others experience the grief of losing friendships for the first time- while making new ones.
I have quickly grown to love my college friends.
Somehow, these wonderful people from all different ways of growing up, stumbled into my life, and decided to stay.
Together, we were thrown into Glass Tower.
Together, we’ve survived.
There is an unspoken bond between college friends. They fill in the gaps and will generously lend a helping hand without obligation. They will spend hours talking with you or staring at the wall. Nobody really knows what is going on in other people’s lives so it is automatically a judgment free zone. It is a level playing field. You figure out each other’s quirks and strengths and work as a team. You teach each other subconsciously by living life differently but adjacent.
College friends have taught me that quality is better than quantity. I realized that I do not need a party full of people to feel seen, just a room with a few of my friends.
College friends see you during all your highs and all your lows. They celebrate your passing test score that they helped you study for. They hold your hair back when you are sick. They laugh with you and wipe your tears. Through all their chaos, they maintain your sanity.
They share clothes, meals, and memories with you.
They say things like, “Text me when you’re home safe”.
The best part is you’ve hit it off so well even though you guys just met.
The worst part is this:
Time flies while you’re with them.
College is a home away from home; a safe space that you can create for yourself. The college friends that make you feel happy and understood are the ones that become your family.
I know that I will miss them when we part ways, so I will cherish my little family for all the time we still have.