I was always known as the "shy girl" in high school. I had two good friends, I only spoke when needed, and picking a partner in my classes was always tough for me.
My hands got clammy when I had to read in front of the class. I was shy all through out middle school and high school. I really only had one close friend in high school. (It didn't help that I went to a small school as well.) It was hard to make friends because I was too shy, too nervous to speak to new people. Some people even thought I didn't like them because I would not talk much. No, it's just that I'm too nervous to talk to new people. I always feared I would say something embarrassing or stupid, and I couldn't deal with that. So I just said nothing at all. It didn't help that my high school/middle school was full of rude people. For a small town, nothing about it felt closely knit.
In 2013, I finally graduated high school. By this time, I had become a little more out going. I finally had my first boyfriend and I've made a few acquaintances. So that was a huge step for me. But I still felt like I was in the same rut. I wasn't as out going as I wanted to be.
I then went on to community college for 3 years. During this time, I think I came out of my shell a little bit more so, which made me happy.
It wasn't until I got to university this year, until I came out of my shell fully. I start at Central Michigan University this January, and my life has changed drastically.
I transferred to start on my Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. With journalism, we know that you have to go out and talk to people. You talk to people, you get stories. It's how it works. I was usually nervous about going to talk to strangers, but journalism has helped me conquer my fear of talking to people. Most strangers you talk to are actually pretty friendly and inviting. It's not as scary as you think.
Besides being a journalism major, I've gotten more involved on campus. I've found groups of people who are into the same things I am. I've joined a group called "The Organization of Women Leaders" which is a feminist group. I'm also apart of the college newspaper, Central Michigan Life. Having so many opportunities to meet new people, has really helped me become less shy. Also, coming from a small town to a big town really helped me overcome my fear of meeting new people and talking to strangers.
I used to be the shy girl who sat in the back of the classroom. Now I am the woman who isn't afraid to speak up when needed.
