"You listen to that band? Ugh, get a new taste in music." "You play that sport/game? Dude, get a new hobby." "You hang out with those people? Get some new friends."

We've probably heard one or most of these statements, along with some others. The simple and brutal truth is, people in high school actually cared and judged you regarding what music you listened to, what hobbies you had, or even who you spent your time with, walking through the halls getting to your next class. If you are a high-schooler reading this, fear no more, for I have some good news for you, especially. It gets better.

Now when I say that, I don't mean the bullying gets less relentless, and your head doesn't get dunked in toilets any less while the boys crank Nickleback when doing so, because you were caught listening to them. No, what I'm saying is that all of those judgments people once cared about in high school, nobody cares about in college. Of course, you'll have your select freshmen who are still stuck in that mindset, but forget about those people. You should be doing that anyway, but here are some words of encouragement, especially for those of you who feel stuck in your own lives.

College is entirely new for all of the freshmen, especially. It's a huge place once you first get here, trying to find your way around. Let's say while you're walking to class, you decide to listen to some music through your headphones. Well, you're just that much more of a rock star, so you crank up the volume a little bit. Somebody walking next to you hears your music, and your first thought is, "Oh Jesus, here comes the swirlies..." Then to your surprise, that person who you thought was going to be your reason for faking sick every day in college just so you wouldn't have to face the world anymore, is actually your best friend. All because that one song he/she caught you listening to during your first day of classes. Now you might be thinking that this never happens. Well, sir or madam, you are wrong with that answer. This happens almost everywhere in college. Not only are there more people on your campus, there are more people who are like you. Just a few weeks ago, I was minding my own business, just typing a paper in the library. Suddenly I hear some Beyoncé blasting behind me. There was this guy with his headphones on jamming out to this song. It was "Love On Top", so you best believe I sang and danced along with said guy, even in the library!

I'll give y'all another example, one most of you men might be most familiar with. You're in the gym, surveying the entire place, looking for what machine you're going to start with. You notice the machine you were thinking of starting on is taken by another big and burly guy. In high school, you most likely wouldn't even dare walking by this guy, let alone saying a single word to him. Guess what? In college, people are humans, and not judgmental beasts looking to kill you with their gaze of "Woooooow, that's all you can do?"

There is no magic behind this article, and there is definitely no witchcraft sprinkled on. It's just life, and believe me when I say it gets better as you go on. So, never be afraid to be yourself. Nobody else can do it better than you, and you were put on this world for a reason. Maybe that reason is to make somebody smile while you give your own personal performance of a tap number from "Anything Goes?" Or maybe that reason is to make somebody realize they should never change who they are. Whatever the reason is, it's your reason, and your reason alone. Nobody else can do it, but you. So to all of you geeks, weirdos, and maybe even junkies for your hobbies; keep your heads up, keep on keeping on, and keep being yourself. You could change somebody's life by doing just that.