From the moment it donned on me as a freshman in high school that many of my peers and I had different interests, I developed this belief that college was where I would blossom surrounded by people like me. However, I have to admit that this has not been my experience because I have not made an effort to find these people, my people.
As a first-year at the University of Virginia who can be shy from time-to-time and is not big on the party scene, I have not made much headway in finding “my people” in college.
I have been in Charlottesville for just over a month, so why do I feel this way? Well, I see massive groups of girls walking on Grounds together and I envy that connection. However, I realize that I don’t need a bunch of friends; I just want a few good ones.
As part of one of my classes, The Resilient Student, I have had to reflect on my situation. Through the class I will be undergoing a process of self-discovery to get a better understanding of how and why I prevent myself from trying to make friends. I will put myself out there by inviting classmates to join me on activities that I have been meaning to do, but have told myself that there is no one to do them with. I owe my motivation to finally try and connect with new people to this class, because otherwise I would still be stuck.
If you are a first-year, second-year, third-year, fourth-year, or even graduate student in the same situation, I want you to know that you are not alone. Finding people you can have a genuine and meaningful friendship with is tedious. According to my Professor Tim Davis, you have to meet at least one-hundred people to find the one.
So if you are anything like me, I urge you to let this article be your motivation to put yourself out there. Or if that is too difficult, take The Resilient Student so you are graded to do so, because I know if you go to UVA you prioritize your grades.
Don’t buy into the myth, at the end of the day, college is not the BEST four years of our lives; It is simply JUST four years. But we can still make the most of them!