I hope that I’m able to grow and learn
Before people meet me, I would be told that they thought I looked mean. I think it had to do a lot with my facial expressions. I suppose I looked mean and unapproachable. It was funny that I would get this a lot growing up, but throughout all my years of middle school and high school I was a social butterfly, up until junior year. I came to the realization that my high school contained a lot of groups and cliques. It was difficult for me to keep up with everyone. I also realized that not all the friendships I had with some cliques were meaningful. I slowly became more focused on making real connections with people that I would hopefully have lifelong friendships with.
Once I came to college, I had this fear that I wouldn’t make any friends and that I would be miserable. On top of that fear, I am also an introvert. Regardless, I knew I needed to push myself out of my comfort zone. I quickly realized that college was a place of making connections and networking. I discovered that this is challenging for me and I continue to struggle with that today. Although I am shy, I have managed to push myself to become more social and create bonds with other people on campus. As a result, I’ve managed to meet new people and become friends with them. Both my friends and I were able to get past the stage of me looking like I was very unfriendly, and they discovered that I’m an understanding and sympathetic being. I admit to not approaching some people because they look intimidating, but I realized I would never know them unless I truly try to get to know them.
I hope that as my college years continue, I’m able to grow and learn to be socially vulnerable and better myself by getting past my shyness. I think a lot of the friendships that I have today last because I’m pretty easy-going and willing to always have an opening ear.
