"The importance of being yourself"

When coming into your freshman year of college, you always hear that this is a fresh start and you can "be who you want to be". It encourages you to change who you are to fit in to where you go. My mom and sister told me be yourself and don’t change to fit in. Conformity is never a good thing and it is important that you stand out and be you. In high school, I always felt like I was different or just maybe not like the others. I still have the best of friends who are now considered my family that I made in high school. I still have my best friends in college who are always there.

When I came here I thought I was going to suddenly change or be a different person to try to fit in. I tried to join things and clubs that everyone else was joining and trying to fit in being from the north. I was not trying to stand out or be judged for my actions. I tried to be what other would want to be friends with but then I realized that I just need to be me. I made friends and lost friends in college, but I have had friends who have stuck with me through thick and thin. I found my niche in school and you will too.

Freshman year, I had a hard time making friends. I felt like I did not fit in and wanted to transfer out. I pushed myself to give it a year and just stick it out. I can now say I am so happy I did. Being a sophomore now, I see that it’s not about the quantity, it is about the quality. So I encourage anyone who’s having a hard time making friends or at a new school and you know no one, just try it for a year and stick it out. I have made my time at College of Charleston the best because I made an effort to make friends and finally put myself out there. There was a reason I chose the school, I just had to find it and remember why. The same goes for anyone who is struggling at a school where they know almost no one. You have to make the first move, and you won’t regret it no matter how nerve-racking it is.