The Five People You Meet During Your First Year in College

How many months has it been since I entered college? Five? Six? Let's say six. A lot has happened in that six months, and I've realized a lot from just being a student here in this institution. I've gotten through bad times, good times, lonely times, and I've witnessed a lot of different things so far. However, I'd like to focus this entry on something a little particular : The Five People You Meet During Your First Year in College.
(Note : While I'd like to use actual pictures in order to represent The Five People, I'd like to keep who these five people are, anonymous.)

5. The Mentor
All schools obviously have teachers. But the role of The Mentor is not just to teach you about school, but his/her role in your first year of college life is to guide you with the basic - advanced things of college. You'd be surprised, you've been reliant on this person since the first day. (If not the first day, you'll meet this person soon. Take note, this is also a student. Usually around 2 - 4 years higher than your year.) My experience with The Mentor is simple; he's the reason I met the #1 in the Five People You Meet, he helped me run in the batch election, and he's the reason I gained a lot of friends here in La Salle. Once s/he's graduated from your school, you'll gradually notice that you'll be someone else's The Mentor.

4. The Casual Friends
As with any society, there exists the group of people that you know you can trust. This, however, takes on a new form. The Casual Friends are the type of people that you can or you can't hang around with. They'll be taken on with the casual "Hey" "Hi" "What's up?" kind of greeting. However, as with any purpose of a friend is, you can strike up a decent conversation with a Casual Friend provided that they aren't busy, and so are you. From a Casual Friend, they may turn into something greater. You may notice that you're gradually getting closer to this person. Feelings? Maybe. But again, don't hope for something that you're not even sure will really happen. Things like that always end up in regret. Take note, ALWAYS. My experience with The Casual Friends? They're the people I tell my most notable greeting to : "Oy, musta buhay?" or "Oy. Stah'?" It's one of two. Funny though, I find the people I talk to in this matter to be trustworthy.

3. The Haters
You may be kind, or you may be open. Maybe you're none of those two, but maybe you're the type of person who really fights for what s/he believes in. You may be doing nothing, but that may be the reason why you're getting this. Who are they? The Haters. The Haters are the type of people who you might not even be expecting in your life. However, if they surface, you'd be surprised that the very people who are your "haters" are actually the people whom you considered "your friends". I'd like to stress the importance of avoiding these kinds of people. Why? If your will isn't that strong, you might not be able to take their flames, their hatred towards you. Add the fact that they could be hating you just because they want to. Again, this isn't a perfect society. We live in a society wherein people believe what is wrong and complain about it. You don't want haters? Sad truth, buddy. Whatever you do in this world, you're bound to get haters. My experience with The Haters? Simple. My very own blockmates are my own haters. It's funny though, I wanna see them go in an Engineering class and find how "terrible" it is for them to be there. I enjoy being in an engineering class; it's fun. Attitude wise, I'm probably in the wrong college. After all, growing up in an all-boys school? There's a difference, culture shock and all.

2. The Best Friend
From casual friends, you're bound to find this person. Again, the strongest friendships are not the ones which you instantly get, but rather the ones that take time to forge. This one, The Best Friend, is the type of friend that will never leave your side. Perhaps a joker, perhaps the silent type. One thing's for sure though, s/he's there by your side. Being with you during your fall, being with you during your success. But remember, they're not the type of people that you're going to use only because you need them, they're there because they are your friends. Remember the difference between a friend and a servant : A friend does such because s/he's your friend, a servant does only what s/he's ordered to. The role of The Best Friend in your first year in college is to help you with the various things that you need to get done in college. Mostly emotional though, I doubt you'd be knee-deep in too many problems at this point. Be informed though, the influence of The Best Friend does not simply wane; it stays even after you graduate from college. Trust me. My experience with The Best Friend? Well, he's basically the guy that helped me through a lot of things, he's like a brother. He helped me when I campaigned, he was really the person that helped me get through a lot. Until now, I owe him a lot. How I repay him is not a question, because the very foundation of our friendship was through help I never expected. God bless this guy.

1. The One
It's funny, isn't it? How you might meet The One during your first year in college? Well, this is on a case to case basis. It doesn't always happen, but when it does, you're in for a lot of things. The moment you meet The One, you'll notice a lot of changes with regards to your personality, and even the way you dress. Why? You're suddenly going to become conscious with regards to a lot of things. You'll realize that, you have to be perfect for him/her. You're going to do everything for her. But stop : Is she really The One? Or The One... You Meet in College? There's a difference between the two. The One, is the person that you're going to fall madly in love with. But the good thing is, s/he will feel the same for you. The One... You Meet in College however, is a different story. S/he may seem like s/he will be The One, but don't be blinded. That's a fallacy. But remember this, The One You Meet in College is someone that you're meant to share memories with. The One You Meet in College is the person that you're bound to do everything and anything in your power, just to ensure that s/he's happy. However, don't fret. The end game of The One You Meet in College isn't always negative, there's always this chance that the two of you are bound to be together. You want to find out if that will happen? Never give up, see the path through the end. My experience with The One? I like her, a lot. I know she knows that, but well... I don't know. Things have gotten so complicated since, but again, if there's one thing that I promised her... It's that I would never leave her no matter what happened. True to my promise, I'm with her. I don't plan to leave her side, and I plan to keep fighting for her happiness. Why? It's not a question of can or can't, and there are reasons I'd really rather not explain. All I know, is that the happiness of this person is my happiness. If she's happy, then I'm happy. I'm just glad that I'm in this college, otherwise I wouldn't have met her. She may be a woman of science, and I may be a man of words. The difference is great, but I'd really rather see this through the end. But as with every romantic soul would say,
"I'd love to see her in my future."

There you go people, The Five People You Meet During Your First Year in College. (At least, they're the five people I met. Lol.) I hope you enjoy your first year in college. Never forget, your friends are there.