Webster’s New World Dictionary’s definition of a friend is “a person whom one knows well and is fond of.” While that may be true, it doesn’t do justice to what a friend is. The definition for friendship is even more obscure – “the state of being friends.”

Both of these definitions are vague and simple. Friends and friendship are much more. It’s like the definition for “myth” – too complicated and complex for one definition.

Friendship is a universal concept. Everyone has people he or she considers to be friends and a different idea of what a friend is. These are the years we’re supposed to be forming some of our best friendships. And I agree – I’ve made some awesome friends I wouldn’t trade for anything, but I’m reminded of the Girl Scout song: “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold.”

Most people would say they have two sets of friends – those at home and those at school. I’ve heard this situation from a lot of people at this university and other schools: you leave home for school, and you miss your friends from home. You make friends at school, and when it’s time to go home, you’re excited to see your “home” friends, but you don’t want to leave your school friends. While at home, you have fun with your friends there and don’t want to leave them again, but at the same time, you miss your friends from school and want to see them. It’s like a tug-of-war.

However, old friends don’t always last. Sometimes, because you don’t have high school classes to see those old friends anymore, you find other times to hang out and other ways to keep in touch and friendships actually grow.

On the other hand, people also say friendships after high school change. Sometimes you see old friends less and less until they’re no longer friends. Even friends you made in college can disappear after making other friends.

A lot of people pass through our lives. Friendships form, and friendships end. Some end and it’s no big deal, while other times it’s harder to accept that people change or things are different and the friendship is no longer there.

But I’ve learned the best friends always remain. These are the friends you can count on for anything, the ones you trust, the ones you have the serious talks with, the ones you have the most fun with. Whether you’re shopping, playing a game, doing facials or dealing with a problem, it’s so much better to have a friend around.

Like anything, friendships don’t come easily. It takes time for a good friendship to form and effort to keep a friendship strong. A one-sided friendship won’t last. For true friends, that work and effort isn’t hard.

Three weeks of classes remain before finals and summer. That may bring cheer to those who cannot wait to leave. That may frighten those who have projects left to be finished, and three weeks isn’t enough time. The next few weeks will be busy with work that does need to be done, and some may be making plans for the summer, but don’t look ahead too far, and don’t forget to make time for your friends. After these three weeks, you won’t see your friends here for more than three months. And while it may be great to see old friends, you’ll miss these ones a lot.