When I first moved into college, I wasn't sure what to expect. In a way, I expected it to be some kind of extension to high school. In some ways, it is (which isn't always a great thing). I thought it was going to be a time for me to see what it's like to live on my own. I would go to class, spend time with my friends, and then have time to myself every day to just chill. Not the case. When you are in college and live on campus, there is little to no time for yourself. You are constantly around people, and honestly, sometimes it's a little suffocating.
There will be times when I just want to be in my bed, watching TV by myself when it's been a long day. I will get all set under my covers to binge by myself for a bit; then I hear that dreaded sound. That sound of obligation to human interaction: a knock at the door. I know I can't ignore it because they may think I'm avoiding them or are mad at them when that truly isn't the case. I just needed some alone time. While all of this may seem drastic and dramatic, that is truly how I feel and how I expect most introverts feel. However, being around people all the time isn't the worst thing ever. I have learned some things while living on campus for the past two years.
How I Came Out Of My Shell
Being around people almost 24/7 has caused me to work on my social skills a lot in the past two years. Rather than being in my room all day everyday either working on homework or watching Netflix (which I would have chosen), I was forced to get out of my comfort zone and talk to people from all types of backgrounds, and it was definitely a step in the right direction. Meeting all of these new people has taught me to be open to having conversations with people I don't know very well. Relationships are very important to me; it is just hard for me to initiate any meaningful conversations with people I don't know. However, I have now learned how to come out of my comfort zone and that is important to meet people who may not necessarily be from the same background.
How To Meet New People
I have learned how to meet new people from different backgrounds. I grew up in a town where almost everyone grew up in the same environment with the same kind of people. Coming to college has opened my eyes to the fact that no two people have the same background. Since I have met a slew of people from different backgrounds, I know that it is okay to be close to people who aren't the same as me and it's okay to have people close to me who come from a completely different home than mine.
My Expectations May Not Always Be Met
When I was in 7th grade, I made the decision to go to Bible College. Now that I am here, it is definitely not what I expected it to be. I am a pretty conservative person, and I always expected bible college to be the same way. I thought everyone was going to be a Christian, and we were all going to sing worship songs together all of the time. Well, that was not the case. However, the people that I have met have taught me that it's okay for a Christian school to not be 100 percent bible thumping all of the time. If it was, it wouldn't prepare us for the 'real world' outside of our Christian community. What I am blessed with is that my closest friends on campus encourage me to live and love like Jesus. While I am sometimes discouraged that my school didn't meet my expectations, my friends still help to grow deeper in my relationship with Jesus.
This journey called college was difficult for someone like me who sometimes struggles with social situations. However, I have learned so much by being forced to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people. While I still cherish the times where I get to be alone and have some time to myself, I love the friends I have made, and I would not trade them for the world. I thank God every day that he put me in a situation where I had to put my faith and trust in Him as I stepped out of my comfort zone into this new chapter of my life.
