After transferring from Coastal Carolina University to Ramapo College of New Jersey, where I presently attend, I now know a thing or two about best friends in college. Most of us have best friends from childhood, so being conscious of the close connections I’m making in college has allowed me to learn a few lessons. Your best friends can teach you vital life lessons and its time to take notice and thank them!

1. Everyone is Different

Friends teach one another that not everyone thinks of things the same way. Some people are more sensitive, for example, while others are naturally harsher. Your friendships allow you to see that different people react to situations in a variety of ways. Although it may take a few disagreements or arguments with your best friends to see things in another perspective, this ultimately prepares you for all the interactions you will have outside of your friendship. Having the ability to adjust to others makes you a much more well-rounded person and easier to get along with – whether for work or play.

2. Be Compassionate

The second lesson your best friends teach you is to have compassion for others. Friends are not family by blood, but sometimes they sure do feel like it. When a friend is upset or happy, we subliminally mirror their feelings because we care. Caring for others is not easy, but friends teach us that finding ways to help one another cope or celebrate with specific feelings can strengthen your bond. Having compassion for people that you are not as close with, such as classmates or co-workers, is a trait that can set you apart from the rest. Going the extra mile to brighten someone’s day or cheer someone else up will get you noticed and show the world how great of a friend you can be.

3. Don’t be Afraid to Laugh at Yourself

The most important thing your best friends will teach you is that laughing at yourself is okay. I know you may think this is a little silly, but it’s true. If you can laugh at yourself, and be okay with your friends laughing at you, nothing will hurt you. There will be no presentation you can’t tackle, or any task you’re too scared to try to accomplish. Next time you’re goofing off with your closest friends, and doing something utterly foolish, thank them for that moment; it is building you up to feel invincible. If you’re not afraid to laugh at yourself, you won’t sweat it if a few co-workers or peers do either.

So call up your best friends and set up a girls night, because the time you invest into your closest relationships will reflect on many others. We may not always get the recognition we think we deserve so thank your best-est friends for allowing you to see things from another perspective, teaching you to be compassionate, and for laughing at you when you’re being absolutely ridiculous. Without them you wouldn’t be half the person you are today!

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