How I found my college & my people

Picking where you are going to go to college can be insanely stressful, but it can also be the most exhilarating experience of your life if you let it. When it came time for me to apply for college, I had no idea what I wanted to do, where I wanted to go, or where to even start. I went into a panic and somehow convinced myself that I would not get into any college and I would have no future. But of course, that was not the case. I ended up getting into all 10 schools I applied to and was left with a very big decision. I made about 1000 pro and con lists for all 10 schools, which only left me even more confused. I finally decided that I just needed to sit down and think about what I wanted, where I imagined myself and I knew almost instantly. Once I realized this, I didn't know how I could imagine myself anywhere else besides Monmouth University. It was the perfect place for me. Only an hour and a half from home, right on the beach, and still in New Jersey, the best state ever. Once I told my family they couldn't have been more excited. I could not wait to start a whole new chapter of my life.

Once I got to college, it was a surreal experience. Unlimited freedom, unlimited gross dining hall food, and unlimited people to meet. Meeting new people is very intimidating, especially for someone who is very shy, like me. I was terrified to go to college and to have to make all new friends and be in a new environment. However, I made a promise to myself that when I got to college I would come out of my shell and I would do everything I could to make amazing friends and have an amazing college experience, and I did just that. I forced myself out of my comfort zone and out of my shell and I met so many amazing people, made the best friends I could have ever imagined, and I am having the time of my life in college. If I could give anyone only 1 piece of advice for college, it would be to do everything in your power to meet people and get yourself out there within the first few weeks of college. This is the most crucial time of your freshman year of college to meet people, make friends, and get yourself out there. Doing this can be so uncomfortable, yes, but that is the one thing that I can say changed my college experience for the best. Push your limits, get out of your comfort zone. It was one of the most difficult things for me to do but I made a decision to push myself out of my comfort zone and become more social then I ever thought possible. To me, college was all about starting fresh, so if you feel the same about going into your college experience, then trust me and step out of the box, You got this!