Finding Community Will Outshine Loneliness | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Finding Community Will Outshine Loneliness

For those whose souls are feeling alone, this one's for you

10
Finding Community Will Outshine Loneliness
CRU

Have you ever been at a place in life where you just felt... alone? I know I have. It's not the greatest feeling in the world, but that's why it's important to find a community. Now, this sounds easy, but it can be harder than expected. Though, once you do find a place where you feel like you belong, you see that it was so worth it in the end.

Trust me, I've been there.

When I first began the adventure of college, I had high hopes and expectations. I figured that once I got in my room and settled, everything would automatically fall into place. Life would be perfect. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. As soon as I said goodbye to my parents, loneliness hit me like a freight train. I was in an unfamiliar place, knew about three people in total, and was completely scared of being alone.

I began to freak out, to say the least. I started texting all of my friends, especially my older ones who had been through the first year of college already, asking them if this was normal to feel so out of place. Of course, they all told me it was normal and that I would be fine. A week or two went by, and nothing had really changed. I still felt pretty alone, even if I had a few people I talked to. It wasn't until one of my very wise friends gave me amazing advice. She told me that to beat the loneliness in my heart, I would have to get out of my comfort zone and put myself out there. Now, this was actually really hard for me to fathom. I was always the type of person that people flocked too; I never really went out of my way to try and find others. Though, deep in my heart I knew I would have to be the one to go and try to find my place.

Luckily, by the time I decided to give "putting myself out there" a try, Bridgewater had a club fair. I decided that finding a club would be a good place to start finding people who have the same interests as me. I met a lot of cool people from a lot of great clubs, but one stood out to be the most. It was Bridgewater College's very own Campus Crusade for Christ (or CRU for short). Now, this isn't an ad saying that CRU is the only cure for feeling alone, but it was personally where I found a great community that made me feel at home. Everyone was so accepting. The more honest and open I was with the people in CRU, the more I felt at peace. To this day, CRU is a huge part of my life, and I plan on staying in this great community until my time at Bridgewater ends.

I want to encourage everyone, don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Even though I found my place at CRU, you might find your place somewhere different. It might be with the theatre club or the hall council. Whatever it is for you, I truly believe that if you take the leap of faith and become open with others, you'll feel less alone and more happy knowing that you found a circle with people who care.

Now, go and find people who are interested in the same things you are.

Discover an amazing community that will bring out the best in you.

Find a home away from home.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

15586
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

6726
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

4968
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

4361
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less
RBF

1. People assume you are mad all of the time.

2. Ten out of ten times you will give off an intimidating impression to others.

3. People do not acknowledge your feelings because you "do not have any."

4. Constantly being exhausted from trying to smile and not look like a witch.

5. And on the rare occasion your facial expressions show how happy you are, your friends think you are going crazy.

6. Each of your friends has said "I thought you were so mean when I first met you" at some point.

7. Then they follow that by saying "you are just hard to read."

8. So naturally if people do not know you they just assume you are a snob.

9. And when you are actually mad, your facial expressions are horrifying.

10. In the end you always look like you are judging people, when in reality people are ALWAYS judging you.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments