When you leave the world of familiarity and dive into a new life, it, understandably, can be scary. This was an inner truth I learned when moving into my residence hall for college. Growing up as an only child, I had fortuitous perks: my own room, my own clothes and my own life. This is true to an extent in college; however, you also have to acclimate to a world of accommodation and socialization to move forward in your college career. I have always been a firm believer that connections outweigh resumes and more degrees; you can be an incredibly bright person but lack any shining moments in interviews by allowing a paper to speak for you!

If you’re anything like I am, then you probably have become more cynical and less talkative. That’s perfectly acceptable because it’s all about making yourself comfortable. Yet, there is an undeniable truth that encourages discussions and introductions. I wish I could say that every person you open up to would be grateful and open up too, but I’ve come to find that sometimes it’s a part of a long process to finding people who share your sense of humor, ideologies, and interests. If anything, opening up tirelessly to different groups of people helps you gain a stronger sense of power when entering places and guides you on a self-journey to figuring out whom it is you really are.

Confidence is a pertinent aspect of your life in college: you have to push yourself to do anything and everything that’ll put you where you desire to be. Yes, cliques exist no matter where you go. I think cliques have gone from being an inner circle of trustees to being a group of judgmental people who conform to one leader, but I think this is an irrational fear because everyone eventually finds their people.

Ultimately, I encourage every incoming freshman -- like myself -- to find a place that makes home feel a little bit closer. Whether you find this home in your new -- possibly old -- friends or in the library with some of your favorite classics, it’s out there. Be the person who talks to everyone, despite how intimidating they might appear. Be someone who creates a stimulating conversation. Above all, be the person you wish you could approach!