One thing university teaches you, sometimes the hard way, is that being surrounded by people doesn't mean you have genuine friends.

You may have people to laugh with during lectures, gist with after class, and walk around campus with, but when life becomes difficult, you begin to understand who truly cares.

Sometimes, the people you help with assignments, share your food with, or stay up late talking to are not the ones who will stand by you when you need support. And sometimes, the quiet person you barely talk to becomes the one who shows you genuine kindness.

This doesn't mean you should suspect everyone or stop making friends. University is also a place to meet people who will inspire you, open doors for you, and remain part of your life long after graduation. Just learn to appreciate people without forcing connections. Be kind, but have boundaries. Support others, but don't destroy yourself trying to please everyone. Most importantly, don't measure your worth by how many friends you have. At the end of the day, a few genuine people are better than a crowd that only shows up when everything is going well.

Let's talk, students. Have you ever discovered that someone you considered a close friend wasn't really there for you when you needed them most? What did that experience teach you?