While reflecting on the insanity that was my freshman year at DePauw University, I know the greatest insight I gained was not obtained sitting in a lecture or during a class discussion. The realization that we can all learn from one another, if we only open ourselves up enough to let others in, has diminished the intimidation factor of the future because I've discovered the thrill of what you can achieve with people in your life.

I have grown up in a small community in Ohio where most of the people I knew, I had known my whole life. So the prospect of going to a school, not only outside of my home state, but where people have come from all around the world, was both terrifying and exhilarating. What I learned over the course of a year is that even though we all come from different backgrounds, we are unified by our common motivation to experience college life. 

It's a scary thought, coming into a new environment, and we tend to play it safe by reaching out only to those who seem similar to ourselves. Being comfortable is easy. But, chiefly based on my first year experience, I have noticed how much you grow when you expand beyond your usual crowd of people. We miss out on so much when we do not take the time or the effort to communicate honestly with someone who is different, and then allow that person to come into your life.  

What I learned from my first year of college is how amazing it can be when you lower the walls you've been surrounded by your entire life. Once you lower your walls, you start to notice that others do the same. You are able to speak more freely, without focusing on ingrained social constraints. 

Go beyond what you feel you are capable of because the benefits outweigh the anxiety of going beyond your limits. Immeasurably so. I know what is like to restrict yourself, to retreat into your comfortable world and only let people see that small bit of yourself that you know cannot be judged.  I know what it is like to fear speaking to someone who is different from you, whom you think you have nothing in common with and dreading the inevitable, awkward moments.

The simple act of reaching out to new people is enough to change your perspective. DePauw may seem small in numbers, but there are so many characters and stories you could miss if you don't open your eyes. It is so easy to keep your eyes on what you know but, if you look around, you'll see we're not all that different. By reaching out and meeting new people, you learn a lot more about yourself. Past insecurities seem to wash away and you're left empowered and determined to share that with the rest of the world. When we can wake up, happy with who we are and share that feeing with the people in our lives, that is a triumph.

Reaching out to people can be as simple as saying hello to a stranger and asking how their day is. See where that takes you. When we get so caught up in ourselves, we miss the quirks, the passions, the likes and dislikes and the stories of the people around us. When you realize that everyone you cherish in life was once a stranger, it becomes a little less intimidating to talk to someone new.

Reflect on how your perspective has changed since coming to DePauw. Imagine what could happen if you take the time to get to know someone unlike yourself. I challenge you all to take a moment, open yourself up and breathe it all in. Because I guarantee, you're missing out on something.