The first time I realized my silence was a gift was on my first day of college. I was always overthinking, but I was also an observer. I didn’t trust many people – trauma had taught me that lesson well. I know so many people can relate.
Navigating this throughout college was a huge challenge. I’d talk to this one person – let’s call her Kelly. She was really pretty, but I was very quiet. And of course, I was very nervous to talk to her. I wasn’t used to spitting out words. She spoke to me, and I actually answered back. This is the quiet power of being the background character in someone else’s story. Not the lead. Not the sidekick. But the steady hand in the dark, the listening ear in a world that rewards the loudest voices.
At Sam Houston State University, where the energy of a thousand students pulses through the plaza, the Lowman Student Center, and the Bearkat dining halls, I’ve learned that the most beautiful roles aren’t the ones being performed.
Have you ever felt overlooked?
Not in the dramatic, life-or-death way, though sometimes it feels that heavy, but in the quiet, everyday kind? Like you’re standing in the middle of the crowd, surrounded by laughter and chants, yet somehow still invisible.
Well, I am here to tell you: you aren’t alone. Everyone is here for you, no matter the circumstances. College life can be hard to navigate alone, so don’t be scared to speak up. You are a hero – quiet or not. Never let anyone dim your light. Quietness is a power, and it’s very helpful. College shows it. Everything will come when it’s convenient, and college is always going to be there for you. Sam Houston is full of life and support for all the students who feel alone. Don’t worry about being overlooked or ignored, because the first step of life is to love yourself no matter what.