During my very limited time here, I’ve found that my high school self has found a way deep into my heart—now, you might be asking what this means. Well, dear reader, let me explain. Before I came to Tulane, I always played it very safe. Just to give you an example of to what I am alluding, let me just say that my favorite Friday night activity was sitting in my family room with my parents, sisters, brother-in-law, and my other sister’s boyfriend playing Scattergories (a game for the ages, might I add). However, once I arrived in the Big Easy, I always assumed I would break free from this homebody lifestyle…let me just say it hasn’t been that simple.
I am only here to give you the advice I try to give myself every day: go and do something new, you little noob! Be #fun and #fresh! Be adventurous! But, it’s not always easy to practice what you preach. So, here are some ways to get out of your comfort zone, something I’ve tried to do countless times:
- Take a walk: whether it’s off campus in the French Quarter or just on Broadway (trust me, that’s an adventure all on its own), just take a walk! You will be surprised at what you can find when you’re sauntering down the streets of New Orleans with some friends. The possibilities are endless! And who knows, maybe you’ll come back with some great stories!
- Plan a GNO: who doesn’t love a good old fashioned girls’ night out?! Get together with some of your closest friends (or some strangers, who am I to judge?) and plan something totally out of the ordinary. Maybe get food and a cool Ethiopian joint. Maybe find an outdoor movie screening and picnic on the grass. Maybe you can be totally crazy and go together and get piercings! And, surprisingly, I actually did that last one—trust me, it’s worth a try, v fun, v fun.
- Do the thing you think you’ll like the least: I know that sounds counterintuitive, but, really, it’s worth a try. I have been trying to make myself go out more because deep down inside I know I don’t really love it that much. Now, I understand that many Tulanians aren’t opposed to going out, but I assume there are some other world class noobs out there like me. So, before you knock it, just try it. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you find! Always remember to keep an open mind!