Going into any new situation is bound to change the way you view yourself, and college is no different. If you're like me, then college throws you for a loop, popping your safe and predictable small-town bubble and leaving you breathless. Things quickly become different. You have to make new friends, which is difficult under the best of circumstances. Throw in an identity crisis, and it's no wonder that many college students end up feeling completely lost when they first arrive at school. It can be hard to know where you belong, socially or academically. But eventually, you will find your niche, and it will all be worth it.
An important step to "finding your niche" is to figure out what you want to do with your life. This sounds like no small feat and believe me, it isn't. Most college students are 18 or 19 years old when they come in as freshmen, and deciding your career path can be terrifying. At the beginning of my freshman year, I was an early childhood education major, and I thought I knew for a fact that this was what I was meant to do. But as I began taking classes and learning about the field, I quickly began to panic. It wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be, and I knew I had to make a change. Much to my parents' dismay, it took me more than one try to get there. Now that I am a journalism major, I could not be happier with my choice. Picking your major is definitely a complex decision, and you shouldn't be afraid to try different things until you figure out your passion.
Like any other stage in your life, it is important to find a group of people you can rely on. Whether you choose to surround yourself with just one close friend, or a group of many acquaintances, everyone needs company. I'm so lucky to have found my group of friends. They are all unique and special to me in different ways, and I would be lost without each of them. College can be a new and scary world, and it's easier to tackle with someone there to stay up late and watch Friends reruns with.
Finding your niche can seem impossible when you first get to college, but there's one thing that everyone should remember. You are not the only one to feel this way. Everyone gets nervous. Everyone feels lost sometimes. Don't get caught up in what you think you "should" do. Do what makes you happy, even if it scares you. Especially if it scares you. You can't be afraid to take chances. Just let yourself fall, then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going. And at the end of your journey, I think you'll find that you ended up exactly where you belong.
