Success attracts many friends
Without persuasion, people will hail, post and celebrate you publicly when you travel abroad, land a good job, graduate with high grades, marry a beautiful and/or wealthy (influencial) spouse etc.
People you barely know will sing your praises without limits. This is it. Success is contagious. Almost everyone wants to associate with success and good (beautiful) things.
The important thing is to worry less about getting people's attention or validation while you are working on yourself. Your success does the PR. Keep showing up and putting your best in your doings, the result shall attract people. Then, you would have all attention and validation you deserve.
For now, keep your heads up and stay true to self while on the track road of Success. I'm rooting for you.