Don’t go with the flow

Going into my freshman year, I was completely and absolutely terrified. I was scared to get involved in any activities, scared to branch out from my group of friends and, ultimately, scared to do anything for myself.

However, this mentality didn’t last for long. Within the first couple of weeks of school, my mom pushed me into going out for musical. (I say pushed, but really I mean forced.) I was, of course, scared, because not only did I not know anyone in the musical, but I couldn’t sing to save my life.

Now — two years later— it’s safe to say that joining the musical was the best thing that ever happened to me.

While maybe I still can’t sing better than your average cow, joining something that seemed bigger than myself brought out several other qualities in myself I didn’t know I had. I became more confident in myself, my actions and my beliefs.

Today, I’m involved in a plethora of clubs and activities, none of which my scared freshman self would have dreamed of joining. I’m more argumentative, and I’m not afraid to stand up for myself and what I believe in, even if it’s not what everyone else believes in. While I don’t credit all of my accomplishments since freshman year to joining the musical, nothing bad came out of it.

During your freshman year, it’s imperative to try new things. I’m not just talking about joining an activity you are scared to try; start talking to new people, start taking different classes based on your own interests, not the interests of your friends and start thinking for yourself. Don’t go with the flow just because it’s what everyone else is doing.

While yes, being a freshman is pretty scary at first, nobody is going to judge you for going out and trying new things. Start giving yourself a voice, instead of letting others speak for you. After all, what’s the worst that could happen?