"You're so shy."

"Why are you so quiet?"

"They seemed stuck up at first, but they're so nice! Just shy."

A select few people probably resonate with these phrases and rolled their eyes right after. I've felt that feeling. It's annoying. When I was young I was told that I was quiet and shy--to the point where I carried it with me through high school. It wasn't until I got to college that I was given the chance to start fresh. Even my parents saw me as this quiet and meek little thing and something told me that they weren't that sure when I declared my Communications major.

Would I say that I'm an introvert? Yes, but only to a certain extent. I like my private time, but I also really love people. When other people labeled me as an introvert it inhibited me from seeing what I'm good at and what I'm meant to do. I'm sure that many people can agree. I was so quiet that, even in the first semester of my Freshman year, I stuck to my labels and laid low. I joined the Campus Activities Board, but I was still just a person in the background. I hated going to club meetings because I felt lonely 90 percent of the time. But it was that first step that really got me to being so happy with where I'm at now.

I met my best friend on the second day of Freshman year and clung onto her until she helped me gain the courage to show who I really am (forever grateful to you, Sunshine). From there I met my now cohesive group of best friends. I feel invincible. Surrounding yourself with people that only build you up is key. This doesn't mean just giving each other compliments. It means reality checks, tears, and lots of moments where you feel like the lowest of the low. If you see a friend doing wrong and you don't check them on it then you aren't a real friend. Please keep this in mind. It betters you and your friends. Also, if something doesn't feel right with a person, be direct. "Is there anything that you want to talk about?" is all that it takes.

Now, maybe I'm alone on this, but have you ever seen "We Bought A Zoo?" (If not, watch it). If there's one quote that I live by, it's "Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage." This is probably the quote that influences 99 percent of all of my decisions. Use common sense when applying this sage quote, of course. Saying hello to the person who you've had your eye on for months is different from punching someone straight in the face for cutting in front of you in the chicken nugget line on Friday.

To put things back in my perspective, the shy girl from high school who many once knew is now paid to meet at least 50 strangers per week and give them a tour of the University as a Student Ambassador (best job ever). She's now making career choices that she never would have dreamed of as a little kid, or even in high school. She's now an active contributing member to many different clubs and wants to be an RA.

If you think that I'm the kind of person for whom the more you tell them "No, you can't do that. You aren't like that," the more that they want to do it, you're right. You better believe that I'm not going down without at least trying. However, if you're content with just observing, then more power to you. I'm not here to wag my finger in your face and judge you. I'm still that person who likes to lay low. I'm simply saying that you should not let life go by without being the person who you would be watching. Try it at least once. Even if it fails miserably, give it one more try. It's not going to happen overnight if you want to make that change. Step out of your comfort zone, but at your own pace. We all have cool stories and new perspectives to offer. I've tried out so many things and have been shot down. It's okay. That's life. It's going to happen.

College is a great time for self discovery and, looking back to high school, I was so trapped in the box of what I defined myself as that I missed out on a lot of experiences. If I have any regrets in life it would be that I defined myself so harshly. Don't let that get in your way too. Just remember that it’s the moments in life when you look back and either cry, squirm, or laugh at that you remember the best.