In high school, I was an introvert.

Now, I'm a sophomore at a small junior college, and I improved myself starting within. Beginning my freshman year, I immediately become more confident. I didn't look better. I didn't dress better. I just felt better. I repeatedly told myself, "Over half of these people don't know me." But I was still an introvert.

I lived on campus in the dorms my freshman year and now also. Moving in, my boyfriend was urging me to meet the two girls whom I shared the suite with. My roommate was my best friend from church but these other two girls were complete strangers. I immediately dubbed them "average white girls" because they constantly screamed "OMG!", wore Chacos, Nike shorts, and an over-sized t-shirt.

"Go talk to them," he urged me. I pushed back and said "no", in which he replied with, “I won't take you to eat Mexican if you don't talk to them."

And that's how my friendship began with them. Soon, I became more comfortable in my skin. I adapted to the college lifestyle. I acquired some of their friends. I finally made some of my own. And this is how I did it.

1. I actually related to others

The first week of your freshman year is by far the easiest time of your life to make friends. Everyone is the new kid. No one knows his way around yet. No one is comfortable. It's easy to relate to others. If you yawned and the person sitting next to you in lecture yawned, you could easily say, "I only slept two hours last night" and that's the start of a friendship. Your neighbor would not judge you. They would be like SAME GIRL SAME. Heck, a guy in my psychology class wore onesies once a week.

2. I picked my seat in class wisely

Sit next to someone that looks approachable. Most teachers pull you together for random group work, forcing you to talk to people. Having someone that you have a talk-ationship with comes in handy on those days you want to skip and need notes to copy. My best friend gave me the best advice before I started college: sit next to someone you follow on social media. Like, for example, there was this girl in one of my classes I had never met but I knew of her and I followed her on Instagram. I knew no one else in that class but her. I sat by her and we became friends. Become friends with those you sit around. Bond with that girl who has the backpack with t-rexes or the guy who has a fluffy phone case.

In my small junior college, there is no popularity. Sure, there are the student body maid and other elected individuals, but you could know just the same amount of people as others. You always feel included. Everyone is a little lone fishy in the sea of college.

3. I FORCED MYSELF TO BE SOCIAL

This may be hard for you because you've become comfortable being by yourself but tell yourself to talk to people, to socialize, to go out, etc. Whenever someone invites you to eat in the caf or to walk around the lake, GO! I did, and this led to some of the best times I've ever had on campus. Force yourself to hang out with people and to talk to them and in return, God will bless you with the best human beings EVER.

4. I got involved

Join school clubs, whether established by the school or by fellow peers. Volunteer with your school and your community to make a difference--and to meet others! Some campuses have student missions to partake in. Even the smallest of campuses have weekly events happening. Sign up for intramural sports. Go show your school spirit at football games or tennis matches! You'll see that you have things in common with others: the club you're in, the activity you're participating in, etc.

Long story short: force yourself to be social. Don't let others change you.

I’m still an introvert but I’m an introvert who forces myself to step outside of my comfort zone. Now, I’m a better me. I’m still having to give myself daily pep talks into walking into class, talking to my neighbor in class, acknowledging my new suite-mates, and even ordering my food at Taco Bell. I take this journey one day at a time. It’s not easy. It’s nerve-wracking but it’s molding me into a better person.

But my mood is still 24/7: