You conquered high school! You endured the crazy parking lots of inexperienced drivers, stayed up way too late to do stuff that you’ll remember forever, and hopefully you learned something in the times in between. You’re on to your next step, you’re probably scared out of your mind, and that’s a good thing! You don’t want to grow up, begin a career, start a family...sorry, I didn’t mean to give you a panic attack. The truth is, it’s this nervousness that shows that you recognize what is to come, but also what can come from it! So what if you’re shy or “introverted?" Will you be doomed to being the guy/girl that stays in their dorm room all day watching out the window as people have the time of their lives? I had that same fear a year ago, and I can tell you: no you will not.
When I came to Liberty University last August, I knew absolutely no one. I, a lifelong Californian, was going to central Virginia with two suitcases, a bedding package I had ordered online, and a blank slate for reinventing myself. I wasn’t going to be “Ryan who I played t-ball with and saw when he had ugly braces” anymore, but instead I’d just be “Ryan,” and the rest was ready to be filled in over time.
I have always been quiet, and I knew that I’d have to put out some effort to make connections with the guys on my hall or any girls who could somehow have the urge to talk to me. With this in mind, I figured out a few ways to increase interaction with people: leaving the door to my room propped open, casually walking through the hall and offering to help people move in or just say the classic “Hi,” or asking people if they’d want to go eat somewhere on-campus. I know these sound simple, but they work! Chances are there will be many people who, like you, are trying to meet new people, and BOOM….common interests.
Speaking of common interests, there is a very good chance that there are people who share the same like, or even dislikes, as you, and one of the easiest ways to find such people is in clubs! Intramural sports, Anime, movies, video games, and so many other subjects can be the basis for clubs, and there is a good possibility that you’ll fit into one of them! If you’re a less formal person, or you’re too nervous to even make such a big leap, talk to the people on your hall or maybe someone on the brother/sister dorm. BINGO!
A big part of college and the entire transition into adulthood is trying new things and testing out what you’re passionate about. With that in mind, maybe step out of what you know and explore the interests of those around you. Never played basketball? Join a pick-up game with a group of people (who aren’t ultra-competitive) at the gym. Are you like how I was and are new to the region of the country’s style of food? Drink that real sweet tea, taste some genuine Mexican food, or grab a pizza (or pie depending on what the natives call it) and see what the difference in crust means. Maybe skeptical of a sunrise/sunset hike? Lace up some shoes you don’t mind getting a little muddy, fill up a reusable water bottle, grab a flashlight, and find somebody to be your guide/photographer at the summit! Bonus points for weird/embarrassing tan-lines and Instagram captions worthy of a Pinterest pin.
People always say that these years are some of the best of your life, and I urge you to make the most of them. These experiences are the ones that shape you as a person, refine your interests and career path, and maybe, if you play your cards right, introduce you to that special someone who’ll be beside you as you look back at your years of college life.
