All of my friends went to different schools, not close to each other (or at least not close to me) so I don't see them except on breaks. On breaks, we have a blast - I have a group of about 20-30 friends who get together to hang out and do stuff whenever we're home.

Over Christmas when I get back from Germany for 2 weeks, we'll have our 7th Annual Christmas party - it started with 9 girls freshman year of high school, now it's a group of about 30 close friends, all from our high school class, all of whom I still consider "friends" that I could feel comfortable hanging out with, and some of whom I've become much closer with since high school.

My best friend and I became best friends at the end of 10th grade and now we are closer than ever.

If it sounds like I'm bragging - rest assured, I am: I don't know anyone else who's stayed as close with their high school friends as our group has, and I treasure those friendships more than anything in the world. It takes work, but it's possible, and it is WONDERFUL to have something to return home for (although I'm lucky enough to have a wonderful family too). I know a lot of people who hate going home because they'll spend their whole break/summer just sitting around or drinking with people they don't like.