Dear Confused College Student,
If you are anything like me you chose a college you didn't know many people attending. The college experience at first is one of the scariest moments you'll ever experience, and I don't say this to scare you. I say this because you are living on your own and having to take care of yourself for the first time. Extending yourself and joining clubs is one of the most important decisions to make if you want to meet amazing people.
As a college student, it is key to balance your health, academics, and social life. You are in college to receive an education and to create a bright future for yourself. In order to strive for your goals, you need a support system at college. It is wonderful to have family and friends back home that support you, but to have people to lean on and empower you in college is incredible.
You may be asking yourself, how do I find these people? The first piece of advice I can give you is to get out of your comfort zone. Join clubs, talk to people in the elevator, and extend yourself to people in your classes. Everyone is experiencing fear in some way shape or form. No one knows what they are doing the first couple of weeks.
My second piece of advice is to follow your gut. If you feel uneasy with the people you are surrounding yourself with, move on. College is filled with different types of people, there is no excuse to stay stagnant if you're unhappy. Surround yourself with people that have the same values and morals. If you are struggling to find these people, go to church, join greek life, or go to your college's social media channels and find groups you feel as though you would thrive in.
My third piece of advice is do not feel defeated if friends don't come easily. You will find your people, and your friend groups will change. It's like any other time in your life, you grow in maturity and at times you will outgrow your friends. This is okay. This means you are becoming the person you are meant to be. Don't be too hard on yourself. Be proud. It is now your time to find other people that are similar to you. You also will find your forever friends at college. This is one of the most amazing gifts your institution can bring you.
Never feel like you are stuck. You can create new friend groups, transfer colleges, or choose to take a year off. Choose what makes you happy, and feel fulfilled. Challenge yourself. Don't take the easy way out, because you are only cheating yourself in a time you are supposed to be inventing who you want to become.
From,
The Girl That Found & Continues To Find Her People
