It's the second semester of my college career, and that means brand new classes are starting. Just when I was getting acclimated in my other classes, now I have to start over.

For some people, probably most people, this wouldn't be a big problem. You go into class, meet new people, make friends. But, for someone like me, who is very shy in most social situations, walking into a class room full of brand new people is an absolute nightmare.

Making friends has always been more of a challenge for me due to being so shy, ever since the early days of kindergarten. I've always made just a few friends, and was never the kind of person to really push myself out of my comfort zone to make friends. I always dreaded group work, because I knew I had to speak up and talk to others.

Over the years my shyness has definitely improved, but even entering a class room as a freshman in college, I still get that sinking feeling in the bottom of my stomach when I have to start over and meet new people. It still takes me awhile to open up to people, but I've also noticed that I'm not the only one.

Everyone just loves the ice breakers most students have to do when they begin a new class, like going around the room and introducing yourself, or introducing your partner. But I've noticed that a lot of people, especially in college, hate the idea of ice breakers and talking to new people as well.

With anyone I've met in my new classes this semester, I've noticed that we both seem hesitant to talk to one another. And, the more I think about it, I'm starting to think maybe we all shouldn't be in this mind frame of not wanting to meet new people.

Now I'm sure there's people who actually truly enjoy meeting new people and making new friends right away, but for others, it really takes time. It's not as though I don't enjoy making new friends, I absolutely love it, it's just getting to that point where I feel like I can open up and talk freely to someone that is hard for me, and for others.

But this semester, and all the future semesters, I will experience the next four years of college and I will try to overcome this shyness that I feel holds me back sometimes. I want to confidently be able to make friends and reach out to others, and I know I can do that if I just push myself a little out of my comfort zone, bit by bit.

If you're like me and find yourself shy and have a little trouble making friends, I encourage you to push yourself out of your comfort zone, as well, because you never know who you could meet.