If you were to meet me five years ago, you wouldn’t be able to recognize me. But it’s not because my hairstyle has changed or that I gained weight. I’ve in fact been the same height and weight and had the same hairstyle for years. The only differences know is that I am more confidence now than I had ever been in my entire life. I was never confident in the way I looked or in the way I felt, but college has allowed me to see myself in a different light.
1. College allowed me to break away from labels.
I was always labeled the “shy” girl. I was quiet, I never spoke out in class. I always did my homework. I was never too loud. I never wanted or sought attention from either my professors or my peers. People knew that I was shy and they stuck that label on me like glue. When I was put in groups in class or had an outside project to do, people just assumed that I wouldn’t say anything.
2. College taught me how to be independent.
College has provided me with so much independence. It wasn’t like how it was in high school, where I was stuck with the same amount of people who knew me since I was five years old. In college, if I didn’t like someone in my friend group I never had to speak to them again. I was never forced to hang out with people who brought me down, I could do what I wanted when I wanted.
3. College taught me that I’m not alone.
I never realized how many people there are like me, who had these labels in high school that they wanted to so desperately to break away from. College has allowed me to get a fresh start and break away from these labels but also helped me find people who share my story and who have had trouble being confident.
4. I found people who like me for me.
Surrounding yourself with people who admire you and enjoy spending time with you is very important. When you’re with people who like you for you, you learn to realize that you have value. These people want to support you in any way that they can. They don’t want you to be anyone you’re not.
5. I tried to stop comparing myself to others.
This is still a challenge for me today, but I have definitely made some progress. I’ve realized comparing myself to others is meaningless as well as draining. There is no point in obsessing over things that I cannot control and that if people don’t like me because of my physical appearance than they don’t deserve to be in my life.
6. I’ve challenged myself.
In college, I have gotten out of my comfort zone a lot. I find myself doing things that I would never have imagined I would be doing. I try not to be so terrified of change and of the uncertainty of the future. I step out of my bubble and explore new things.
College has allowed me to become a more confident person. It has made me become more independent and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I am finally able to get rid of all the labels people have put on me, and while I still struggle with comparing myself to other people I have come a long way from where I was a few years ago. I am forever grateful for my college experience.
Want to keep up with HCBU? Make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, check out our Pinterest board, and read our latest Tweets!