In high school, I was always that one person who would sit in the back of the class and pray that the teacher would not call on me. I would only talk to my close-knit group of friends who I have known for years and years. I am an introvert, have been since I can last recall. Not even I understand why I am like this, as it honestly frustrates me that I am uncomfortable putting myself out there and gives me challenges in my everyday life.
Upon coming up to this University of over 50 thousand students, I was forced to start my journey to overcome this challenge. I was thrown out of my element coming up to this school when my friends from home were not with me anymore. The first few months, I was lonely and had a terribly hard time making friends. Nobody seemed to want to be my friend, everybody had their own social group and did not seem to have room for me.
After months and months introducing myself to different people in my classes and dorm, I was greatly discouraged. It got really hard to be up here with absolutely nobody in my corner. Calling home only made things worse as I would become teary-eyed and beg my parents to come take me away from this unfamiliar place. They were always willing to calm me down on the phone but they refused to come and get me because they know this was all part of the adjustment period and given time, I would absolutely fall in love with this school. Unknowingly to me at the time, they were right.
Come the second semester, I was seriously considering leaving college and being back at home in my comfort zone. That is until I decided to take a leap of faith to make this change work in my life and rush a sorority. That proved to be the best decision I have made thus far. Although nobody pictured the quiet little introvert to be a sorority girl, I thought I had nothing to lose by just attending one event and seeing what happens.
The night after the first informal recruitment event, I called home in tears. For the first time in this entire school year, I could see myself having a place here at MSU. These girls were amazing and made me feel welcome; I really hoped they loved me as much as I loved them. After my call home, my phone rang once more; it was the recruitment vice president. They wanted me in their sorority and as I was shaking nervously while holding the phone, I accepted a bid.
Joining a sorority, although unexpected, has given me the chance to be exposed to so many people who literally scooped me out of my shell and have told me that they do not care if I am quiet or not. They have shown me that there are people who understand you and have the patience to really get to know somebody with a complete and total open mind. I do not think that they even realize the impact that they have had on my life and education.
Greek life is amazing, even for those who do not think that they will fit into and get along with a group of diverse people. I am certain that I will be friends with these girls for the rest of my life and love every single one of them. It has only been a little more than a year, but I feel as though I have known some of these girls forever and would not trade the hundreds of memories that we have made for anything.
Every single day I strive to come out of my comfort zone more and put myself out there, knowing now, thanks to my sisters, I have nothing to lose. It is a tough personal journey, and I do not expect anybody to understand what goes on in my head, but I know with every day that I spend with my friends, I am becoming less of an introvert and less anxious about what people will think about me. I now the confidence to talk to people in my classes, various clubs, dorm halls, and even people I recognize in the street, as well as speak in front of the class without even giving it a second thought. My sisters have opened me up and as a result, I have confidence and have proven that I am not that awkward little high school girl anymore, but rather a strong and very sociable person I never knew existed before.
