Ever since middle school I've been the quiet kid. I don't make jokes in class or participate in school clubs and student government. Not to say that I didn't work hard and participate in class, but I've just never been outgoing. Of course, I have my small group of friends that I'm able to be myself around.
I've done a few of these short summer programs and it was really hard for me to make friends. I would feel really excluded and, if anything, made me more introverted and less motivated to talk to people.
However, that has not been my experience so far. On the first day, I got to my dorm before my roommate and I was practically shaking with nervousness. I was so scared that she was going to be an older kid who would try to intimidate me, but I got the exact opposite. My roommate was so nice and compassionate and, as it turned out, we had a lot in common and we got along really well.
My introvert came out again during the orientation when everyone was talking in small groups getting to know each other, and I was hanging out in the back on my phone. To my surprise, two girls invited me to join their group and talk. Just as it was with my roommate, I immediately found commonalities. I was so surprised at how kind and accepting everyone was.
For the following two days, I continued to build friendships and develop relationships with my peers. This all came together on Tuesday night when me and six other students decided to host a study group in the common room. For about ten minutes we actually worked and studied for about ten minutes until we started talking about music and that was the end of that. We all bonded and stayed up for hours and hours just conversing with one another and laughing while listening to music.
I'm not usually a person to make fast friends but I'm sure that I will make meaningful friendships that will last such a long time.
I've done a few of these short summer programs and it was really hard for me to make friends. I would feel really excluded and, if anything, made me more introverted and less motivated to talk to people.
However, that has not been my experience so far. On the first day, I got to my dorm before my roommate and I was practically shaking with nervousness. I was so scared that she was going to be an older kid who would try to intimidate me, but I got the exact opposite. My roommate was so nice and compassionate and, as it turned out, we had a lot in common and we got along really well.
My introvert came out again during the orientation when everyone was talking in small groups getting to know each other, and I was hanging out in the back on my phone. To my surprise, two girls invited me to join their group and talk. Just as it was with my roommate, I immediately found commonalities. I was so surprised at how kind and accepting everyone was.
For the following two days, I continued to build friendships and develop relationships with my peers. This all came together on Tuesday night when me and six other students decided to host a study group in the common room. For about ten minutes we actually worked and studied for about ten minutes until we started talking about music and that was the end of that. We all bonded and stayed up for hours and hours just conversing with one another and laughing while listening to music.
I'm not usually a person to make fast friends but I'm sure that I will make meaningful friendships that will last such a long time.