Just a Little Lost

I spent the first month of college trying to be someone I was not. I hadn't had to make new friends since elementary school, and I was panicked at the thought of not having friends. I tried to force connections with people, worrying constantly about what others thought of me. The combination of loneliness and homesickness was so overwhelming; I called home crying almost every night.

This is the story of my first college party. The night was a turning point for me. I learned that I wasn't going to find anyone to connect with at a party, because I was being someone that I was not. After this night, I started to reduce the pressure on myself. Friendships take time to develop and grow so I went about my daily school routine. I joined new clubs and studied diligently. I started spending more time with the people in my hall who were more like me. I became more confident in myself and owned my personality.

Although college doesn't quite feel like home yet, I am content to know that the connections I have built are genuine and will hopefully become long-standing friendships.