High school. It was a difficult time for everyone. The pimples, the awkward stages, the braces. Everything came at you at warp speed and you just wanted to get out. When it was time to apply to schools, it was nerve-racking. A part of you wanted to leave and never look back while the other part of you was nervous about experiencing something new. I get it, it's scary going to a new place and not knowing anybody. But college can be one of the best things that can happen to you.

In high school, I was extremely shy. I struggled with class presentations and meeting new people brought on this anxiety that could at times stop me from doing the things I wanted to do. New social situations without knowing anybody would cripple me to the core, but in college that all changed. Everyone that goes to college is in the same playing field as you, nobody knows anybody and their just as nervous about the new experiences as you are. It forces you out of your social comfort zone to meet new people. Its harder to be shy, so with that in mind I became more social and not so afraid to talk to people.

Another positive aspect in college is that nobody knows who you are beforehand. No matter what "clique" you were in in high school, it doesn't matter to anybody. (Almost) everybody is friendly with everybody. I was more of a quiet nerd in high school, with a very close knit friend group but in college (I still have a good close knit friend group) but I am friends/ aquaintances with more people than I would have thought in high school.

College gives you the freedom to be who you want to be and not be involved in those high school "cliques". You can be yourself and not be judged for doing so. It's such an eye-opening experience and it helps you be you.