College is a wonderful life experience that can shape people into who they are truly meant to be, but don’t let that “shaping” change what you believe and where you stand. There will be numerous occasions in college when your character will be challenged and going with the flow will be the easiest option. But instead of choosing the option that makes the people around you happiest, choose what makes you the happiest. Here are five examples of instances in college in which your true self will be challenged. It’s your duty to yourself to never forget who you really are.

1. Orientation

Orientation is the first time you will meet your fellow classmates in person, and as we all know, first impressions are crucial. Don’t change who you are to make them like you. If you have naturally curly hair and you look around and everyone has straight hair, you wear your afro loud and proud and stay true to you. If you like anime and comic-con, don’t hide your books under your bed just because everyone else is reading "50 Shades Of Grey."

When it’s time to break up into groups, don’t choose the group that seems the most popular. Choose the one that you are actually interested in. And most importantly, don’t just make friends with your orientation roommates (if your orientation is overnight), but branch out and find people you actually have common interests with, not just people who are most convenient.

2. Roommates

Whether you chose your roommate or went in with a random, your roommate situation is one of the most important in which to stay yourself. Living with someone who you’ve never met before can be a scary experience, so pretending to like the same things they like may seem like the safest option. Your room in college becomes your sanctuary, the one place where you can truly be you. If you start changing who you are in the one place where you’re supposed to truly be yourself, you could start to lose your real self. Don’t settle to make your roommate happy. One thing you will learn in college is that sometimes you have to put yourself first. And if your roommate can’t handle this, switching isn’t always the worst thing ever. Sometimes it can be really beneficial for both parties.

3. Classes

Don’t be afraid to raise your hand when you know the answer. College isn’t like high school––raising your hand and knowing the answer won't classify you as the teacher's pet. Show your professor what you've got and make them remember you. Don’t be afraid to be right and seem smart around your classmates. Embrace your brains and do you. You won’t regret it, I promise.

4. Parties

First off, if you aren’t into the party scene, don’t feel like you have to be just because you’re in college now. College doesn’t automatically mean you have to go out every weekend and get drunk. Prioritizing is a key. If you have a big exam on Monday but your friends really want you to go out with them that weekend, you need to make the decision as to what is more important. There will always be another party some other weekend, but you only have one chance to kick that test's butt.

5. Clubs

I can’t stress how important it is to get involved in college. Most colleges have clubs or organizations for literally any topic you can think of. What’s even cooler is if they don’t have a club for something you’re passionate about, nine times out of ten you can start your own. School work should normally always come first but don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the things you love. It can seem overwhelming or scary to join a club in college because there are so many more people, but take that leap.

Chances are, the people in the club you want to join are just as cool as you are. Once again, don’t let your friends or how you think people will view you dictate how you get involved. Don’t be afraid to join the book club because you’re afraid people with think you’re a nerd. College is the time to embrace what you love, so go after it and try not to worry about what other people think. What matters is what you think.

Never let people tell you how to think or act. Find a club or a group of friends that you love and be yourself. If you have to change yourself to fit into a friend group or to join a club, then it’s not worth it. Your true self is better than any version of yourself that you could create. College is about growing and molding yourself, so take who you are and expand on it, keeping in mind that completely reinventing yourself almost always ends badly. Be you, and be proud.