College seems to be this place where expectations are set, and we strive to meet them. Academically, socially and, of course, physically.

Perhaps you believe that to be happy in college you need to go to every Bison football game, you need to drink every weekend and you need to have a designated “gym buddy”.

What happens when you hate that life though? Where do you go? Who do you say this to? What’s wrong with you?

Why don’t I want to join any social clubs? Am I to blame for only have three friends? What’s wrong with me?

College seemed to me like a mix of drinking, partying and going to class hungover.

Now, to say that this has never happened would be a lie. I have done all these things, but unlike what I was seemingly taught, this isn’t what finds me true happiness.

I don’t find that my happiest college moment was me hugging a toilet and preaching about global warming to people huddled around me, but to be frank, it was a funny experience.

It is okay to not have that “usual” college experience. It took me a long time to learn that fact.

Not to say that you may not like that lifestyle, many do, but don’t limit yourself to what others see as the best path for you.

Perhaps your path takes you to a couple of friends and many nights in. That is perfectly fine if that is what makes you happy.

Honestly, it’s okay if you hate your roommate. It’s okay that you guys don’t do everything together.

It’s okay if you make up a nasty name for them or want to shove their lacrosse stick up their ass.

You can work hard to make yourself likable to some people, but sometimes, you just simply don’t like each other.

And that is okay. Move out, move on, they will too, and it is better for both parties.

It’s okay if your best friends read and are quiet. It’s okay if your best friends aren’t pulling your hair back at a party while you throw up, but thank those people profusely and apologize for puking red wine on their carpet. Perhaps buy them a gift card to Target too?

It’s okay if you don’t want to run with a pack. Perhaps hanging out with ten people all at once scares you. That is okay. Maybe you like talking one on one with people. Go get a coffee; some people can’t make friends playing beer pong drunk, but maybe you will, don’t rule everything out.

It is okay if you would rather choose to stay in on a Friday night to study.

It is okay to have few friends, but make sure they are high in quality.

Find what makes you happy, not what you think others want for you. It is okay if you hang out with your significant other a lot. It is okay if your only friends are online.

And it is okay to find happiness in that.

Far too often we keep what others might think in mind for our future before our own wants and desires. Find what you want and make sure that it is healthy and right for you. Make sure your happiness makes you happy first and foremost.