As Thanksgiving quickly approaches and the year is coming to a close, I am taking some time to consider my 2019 and what I am thankful for. This year has been the best year I have had in a long time so I am lucky to have a long list of things to be thankful for. However, what I am most thankful for this year is the friends I have made in college. While I say I did have an amazing year in 2019, one item on my mind that would leave me uneasy is the thought of going to college. I had everything I needed right at home: amazing friends, a loving family, a good job, established extra-curriculars, and of course my fish and dog! The thought of leaving it all behind devastated me. So whenever someone asked if I was excited to start college, I could never truthfully say yes.
The first couple days of school were pretty awful. I felt like I couldn’t be my true self in front of anyone and I was incredibly lonely. It wasn’t until one fateful day when I went to dinner and sat next to two girls who lived down the hall from me. I felt an instant connection with them as we ate our overcooked pasta from the dining hall. That night, one of the girls, Chloe, invited me back to their dorm and she insisted on making me chai tea and the rest is history. I am beyond thankful to have such caring, outgoing friends with hearts of gold. We helped each other navigate college and make the most of our experience. We make each other laugh until we cry and help each other laugh when we actually cry. Because aside from the fun, starting college is a terrifying and confusing time. We’ve had so many ups and downs but what makes this time of your life a million times easier is when you have authentic friends by your side who are willing to drop everything to help you feel just an ounce better. And I that’s what I have. And I am so thankful for that.