Hello Readers. I am new to Odyssey and I thought it was appropriate that the first thing I write about is being new. Not only am I new to Odyssey, but also to college. I am new to University of Alabama— Huntsville. I am living in a new city, a new dorm. I am taking new subjects, going to a new church, meeting new people, trying new things. My life is very much new to me right now. If you ever find yourself in this position (you will), then just a heads up: It is scary, it is exciting, it is so NEW. I find myself thinking back to just a few months ago, when I was in the same town, lived in the same house, went to the same school, same church, had the same friends, for many many years. Nothing ever changed. Everything was old.
I liked it that way.
But here I am, just a few shorts months later, in a completely new world, and some old tips come back to me from time to time — tips about living in a new world, tips I heard (and ignored) my whole life, especially senior year.
1. Give it time, you'll get used to it.
In my experience, the first few days are either incredible and fun or sad and depressing, it seems there is no in between. Take both ends of the spectrum with a grain of salt. New quickly becomes regular. You get in a routine, things settle down, you have a new norm. You learn there is good and bad in everything, but you have to look for the good.
2. Don't be afraid to eat alone.
It's OKAY. Be confident. People aren't staring. Sometimes friends are busy, you are running late, or you just need to be alone. There's nothing wrong with that. Walk in that caf (or wherever) with your head up and eat the lunch of a champion (or pig, depending on where it is you are eating).
3. Sometimes it actually is OKAY to quit.
"Don't give up." "Quitters never win." I've always had a problem with this mindset. I am not saying that when life is hard you quit; I am saying that when something isn't right or something isn't working out, it is OKAY to take a step back. That's not lazy; it's wise. Sometimes you don't know if something is right for you until you try. But sometimes when you start a journey to become an engineer, you get three weeks in and say "This isn't me." (If it isn't obvious, this happened to me.) Don't be too proud to admit you were wrong.
4. Be YOU.
In a new world, change is inevitable (duh). You will change. You become a different version of yourself. But it should still be a version of yourself. Don't morph into someone else or conform to the expectations of others. Be true to who you are and who you want to become in this new world. God made one you, so be you.
5. Find your niche.
This piggybacks off of "Be YOU." Discover what you love, what you can do, what role you can fill. There is a place for every person. Find your niche and flourish.
Like I said, these aren't new ideas. They're very old tips that I have heard (as I am sure you have as well) my entire life. It took a new world buzzing around me for me to utilize them. Hopefully, overtime, this new will become normal, will eventually become old. In the meantime, I hope these tips help anyone who finds himself/herself in a whole new world.
