Like many first-year college students, the dread about making new friends paired with being in a foreign atmosphere is very nerve-wracking. Leaving home and entering college — especially if you’ve moved far away — is a daunting experience (but it can also be somewhat exciting).
Personally, I found the transition to constantly being surrounded by people simultaneously fun and draining. I discovered I needed to develop new habits to provide much-needed rest from the almost constant social interaction. I also realized my social skills required some slight revamping in order to create a community around me that resembled my home, which I very much missed.
Making new friends can be difficultas finding people you genuinely connect with often requires a lot of trial and error. I decided to try to talk to as many people as possible during the first few weeks of school. This was a big change for me because in high school I typically surrounded myself with people I had known for years. Even though I realized most people I met at the beginning of the semester were not my forever friends, I believe forcing myself to socialize with the people around me led me to find a group of friends I love. It also instilled within me the ability to start an interesting conversation with anyone I come into contact with.
I’ve also found throughout the semester, I’m around my friends every single day. I study with them, eat with them, and spend my free time with them. While I love their presence, I’ve learned I’m not a person who can be social 24/7. I need time to relax and recharge my social battery. So, I’ve been spending time alone by taking long walks, reading in cute places around campus, and trying out new study spots farther from my dorm. Currently, my favorite walking route is to walk to Downtown Berkeley and back, checking out the multitude of restaurants along the way. I’ve also been enjoying watching tv in my alone time, specifically the Jurassic Park series and The Real Housewives of New York City.
By putting yourself out there, taking chances with people, and realizing your limitations, you can facilitate a lifestyle that balances your social and private life. It’s important to remind yourself that you can take time to be alone. Even though being social seems like the easiest way to have a successful college experience, it’s not the end all be all, and practicing self-care is just as critical. College challenges you to break out of your comfort zone, which inevitably will change you and how you interact with others.
Expanding your social skills gives you the rare opportunity to connect with interesting, intelligent, and resourceful people. You’ll also simultaneously gain an understanding of your boundaries, and how to support yourself in a way that allows you to make the most of your time during school. As seemingly scary this change is, it’s actually a positive one, and I believe, the next step in the long journey to becoming the best version of yourself.