“You can’t sit with us”, mean girl Regina George’s words echoed in my head as I made my way to college for the first time. I cursed myself for watching Mean Girls the night before. Will college life for me be one of continuous anxiety or like Cady, I would eventually find my people and purpose? The transition from school to college overseas is a huge one and can often be daunting. Coming from a safe, guided and orderly school regime to one of non-conformity and independence is a change that all students go through at the start of their college life. It is an amalgamation of diverse faces and opinions where you get a chance to find your voice and become more confident young adults. In college, you are encouraged to fight your own battles, take decisions and form opinions. It gives you an opportunity to be the architect of your life. Through clubs such as the debate club, quiz club and advocacy club, students learn important life skills like collaboration, public speaking and confidence. It also opens them up to different schools of thought which helps them to broaden their horizons. College life can be the most memorable experience for you. It exposes you to a host of new and exciting experiences. Many colleges allow you to live on or near campus. They offer on-campus housing options, including dormitories or residence halls, where students can live with roommates and engage with their peers. Living on campus can provide a sense of community and foster close relationships among students. Another defining feature of college life is the wide range of activities and resources available to students. You can test out your leadership and organizing skills by participating in the college festivals, an annual event that brings together young people from all over the country through art, dance, music and a spirit of competition. The fests are an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in “college culture”. It is also the perfect stage for you to interact with students from different colleges and learn about new things. Many colleges and universities also offer academic support services, such as tutoring and study groups, to help students succeed in their classes. Students also work part-time jobs or internships during college to gain work experience and earn extra money. These experiences can help students develop lifelong skills like time management and communication. These jobs also give them a taste of what is to come in terms of their careers and work life. College life is also fundamental for many looking to forge long lasting friendships. It brings together people from all walks of life among whom you are bound to find one or more friends that you vibe with. Be it walking around lush green campuses or studying together in the library at the last minute for finals, these moments with friends form lasting memories. Many fondly look back at moments spent in the canteen, exchanging ideas over one or many cups of awful coffee, gooey donuts and piping hot ramen. To sum up, college life is the chrysalis that one must be nurtured in before becoming a free spirited butterfly ready to explore the world.