In middle school you think high school is one of two things; either the place where you will finally find yourself or the place of nightmares for the next four years. Well, I'm here to tell you, it's kind of both. Still, if you let it be, it can be one of the most fun and exciting times in your young life.

Though, this all gets more complicated when you're "that shy boy/girl."

You're probably hoping to take on high school in one of two ways, either you want to change everything about yourself and finally ditch the shy label, or you just plan to continue to be a loner for the next four years.

I'll start by saying, you don't have to change all at once just because you're going to high school. Nine out of ten times, it won't work, believe me, I tried. You are young and you will change, but it will be gradual, not all at once. Next, while being a loner might've worked in middle school and people often continue it in high school, if you really try, you will find your people. You can find your "squad."

But really, how do you get through high school being incredibly shy? Here's how I did it.

Coming into high school, I already had a group of friends, and while they didn't immensely change, nothing stayed exactly that same throughout my four years in high school. I began to realize that it was okay if I joined something that my current friends weren't already in, and honestly, that's how I met some of the most amazing people in my life.

So, how did I gradually become less shy? I joined things. I didn't make new friends instantly, and I definitely spent a lot of time in awkward, forced conversations, but over time, those people became some of the most important people in my life. As I came to realize how much these people cared for me, I began to let them be constant reminders that I could be myself and people wouldn't leave.

I became unapologetically, me. I became crazy and wacky and passionate and kind. Some people didn't appreciate me for me, but I always reminded myself that if they weren't okay with me being me, they weren't even worth the extra thought.

In addition, over time, I let my perspective of the world change, and that did something completely different. Gradually, I realized that the world wasn't as easy to understand as I had thought. Becuase of this new perspective I changed a little again. I had always been nice to people, but this was different. I really began to treat others with the care that I could tell all people craved. I became someone that others could look up to. I became a leader in my life. People finally, truly, listened to what I had to say and that was the best part of it all.

This isn't to tell you that high school was all amazing or that I've "found myself." High school is kind of horrible, and I'm not sure that I ever will find myself, but what I'm saying is that in high school I really did eventually find my place.

Remember: shy is not something to be ashamed of. I'm still pretty shy, even now in college. I think it makes you more mysterious. You're not easy to crack, but if someone tries, you can tell they actually care. Also, when you're shy, you tend to talk less, and therefore observe more.

Shy people see the world in a completely different way than everyone else. Being shy makes you special. Being shy makes you, you.

The way I got through high school, despite being shy, won't work for everyone. The true moral of this story is to be yourself and be open to new things. Finding your place won't happen in a day, and you've gotta let these things happen naturally.

Still, you can find it. And please, always, find a way to be unapologetically you.