Leave Your Clique
Start writing a post
Relationships

Leave Your Clique

A person's a person, no matter how popular

217
Leave Your Clique
Huffington Post

In high school, I was by no means popular. No one outright disliked me or said anything that resembled bullying or exclusion to my face, but I just didn't have much in common with the group of kids that were considered "cool". They liked going to sporting events and cheering on their friends; I didn't know anyone on the team or the rules of the games. They were able to do their hair and make up well and got big groups together to take pictures before dances; I could barely put my hair in a ponytail and was camera shy.

When I joined a sorority at my university, suddenly the type of girls that I had wanted to be, but failed to fit in with, were surrounding me constantly. Effortlessly pretty and stylish, somehow maintaining good GPA's while being involved all over campus and having a million and one friends. My first week was nerve-wracking because I overthought every word that came out of my mouth, certain that they would find me weird or too different from them to get along with.

As soon I met my roommate and best friend at school, I didn't worry that she would think I was lame at all. I knew she was definitely one of the popular girls in her school and I could tell that she was the type of person that I probably would have never crossed paths without our sorority. But the funny thing is, the more that I got to know her, the more I realized we DID have in common and discovered that even though we had different interests and hobbies in high school, we still liked the same shows and movies and could introduce each other to new ones too.

From that realization, it occurred to me that perhaps I had been misjudging those kids at my high school all along and I regretted not getting to know them better. I spent four years thinking that just because someone had better hair than I did or drove a nicer car that automatically meant that they didn't want to be my friend, never once stopping to consider that they might feel the same way about me.

The world is a divided place and it seems that with each passing day, we alienate ourselves from each other even more, but I urge you to take a hard look at the person sitting a few chairs over from you in class or the professor lecturing about the topic that you aren't interested in or the kid that you pass on campus every day in the same place, at the same time. I offer up a crazy idea to you: What if you said hello to them?

I know that sounds like a monumental feat, and as an introvert, I constantly find myself wanting to hide in the corners and cling to the walls. But the older I get, the more I see people as just that, just people, instead of some huge, scary force that can humiliate and intimidate me.

Obviously, I have sisters and friends and classmates that are prettier than me or hotter than me or cooler than me, but the truth is that nine times out of ten, people see our differences as interesting instead of disorienting. They see me as unique instead of wrong. If I could go back and tell high school aged me a lesson, I would force myself to talk to people I thought would ignore me because what if they could have been my best friend too?

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

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71038
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132607
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments